Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - December 18 to December 31, 2008 Latest messages listed first..... \/ December 31 Messages \/ Hm...given the proximity between the two buildings, one can only hope the "U" from USA Today hit the "F" on the Freddie Mac headquarters building. (12/31/08) I don't want to believe that after 20 years with Geronimo that O'Meara seems to have gained very little except an expansive ego. I find it hard to believe that O'Meara thought interviewing was his strong suit and coming up with boring games was a good time killer. Please tell me he was hamstrung by the CBS suits and that he's just not a very creative guy. And taking a 3 week vacation like the old days when you got the guillotine hanging over thy neck wow! Hey wha' happened to the dude who enjoys going down to his basement each holiday season and getting sloshed on cheap beer? (12/31/08) I can't figure out why anyone would care about the names "MTV" and "VH1". Both mean "worthless" and they have for a long time. But I do think it's odd that no one has stepped in to fill the music gap they've left. The Tube was a great attempt; it was probably a bit too early for it to work, though, back when most people hadn't even heard of a TV subchannel... (12/31/08) Dave's response: YouTube is the ultimate "music television." Sheesh, they have just about every video from any obscure band you could possibly imagine..... Several weeks ago, legendary radio pioneer Bill Drake passed. For those who wish to hear him at his finest, we invite you to log on to www.ultimateoldiesradio.com (click on LISTEN LIVE) or www.oldies700.com (click ON AIR button) and listen to Drake's epic production, 'The History Of Rock N' Roll'. The entire 51 hour feature runs through 3 PM Friday and we'll repeat it through 6 PM Sunday on our station in Dothan, Alabama...WEEL AM-FM. Happy New Year to all - Bob Mathers (12/31/08) To Ken in Marley Station (you're not supposed to say Glen Burnie anymore), trying to get a name change for MTV and VH1 does little to cure the problem. Sort of like Marley Station. It's still Glen Burnie. Why should you give a szht what they call those two channels, if your beef is the lack of music videos? Isn't it more direct to want a music video channel, "MVC" for example? Psst: Palladia over on HD is a good candidate. www.tvweek.com (12/31/08) If you've followed the Mailbag closely at all over the past year you've seen a myriad of complaints (some from me) about 94.3FM. The station's biggest failing, though, has not been mentioned: has any DC area station ever done a worse job of branding? I mean, fer chrissakes, WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE DAMN STATION? Is it "Redskins Radio," or "Triple-X," or what? I'm not even sure what the call letters are; on-air talent (and I'm using that term charitably) usually refer to it as "ESPN 980," which makes no sense whatsoever. You'd think even a charlatan like Danny Snyder, who made his money in the junk mail biz, would do a better job than this. On the other hand, a guy who'd invest in Johnny Rockets and is overseeing the collapse of Six Flags -- not to mention his inability to put a winning football team on the field for nearly a decade -- makes me think junk mail was his only real talent. Dave in Sterling (12/31/08) Hey Dave, after having a couple days off due to the holidays, I ventured through the world of early morning television and as a habit, I checked out MTV and VH1 to try to catch a music video or two. In the past couple years, the only times you could watch a complete music video on MTV was in the morning (from something like 4 AM to 9 AM), but alas, there was not a video to be seen on either station. Nothing. So, the time is right for someone to start a movement to get the name of the current forms of MTV and VH1 programming to be changed to something other than MTV and VH1 considering that neither is close to it's former selves, even what they were 10 years ago. So.... Dave, Mailbaggers, industry folks with or without ties to the former Viacom now known as MTV Networks, PLEASE go to my online petition @ www.petitiononline.com and sign away. Comment if you'd like. I've read some formal petitions that have been offered, and they were worded so badly that I couldn't in sound mind sign them. Please, the cause is good: to name two television networks appropriately. Thanks, KeninGlenBurnie (12/31/08) Don O'Brian is still listed on 94.3/WINX web page even though he has been on WCEI for awhile now. WCEI has Kenny Campbell listed on their page and no mention of Don O' Brien. Someone needs to wake up! Burt in Denton (12/31/08) Was flipping through the channels and who do I see but former FOX5 anchor Bob Sellers on a show, CNBC Reports, who along with 5 other people is giving his thoughts on the recession..(forgot to identify the anchor in the last post) (12/31/08) Noticed yesterday while driving back from Salisbury yesterday that WCEI/96.7 FM has tweaked its format. They now are playing the hits of today along with the hits of yesterday. Also, will the new year bring a name change for NBC, maybe the Obama network? Happy New Year to all, Burt in Denton (12/31/08) Did anyone else notice the Junkies ran the same segment this morning that they did yesterday morning (regarding a woman attempting to have a threesome with her husband)? Do they only have a finite amount of best of's? (12/31/08) I'll never forget WBAL radio's Doug Roberts in the John Waters' movie SERIAL MOM, where he has the distinction of being murdered with a falling window air conditioner as the weapon. It's one of my all-time funniest movie moments to this day, but then again maybe I laughed more than most because I had a roommate once who, well, the dumbass actually dropped a window AC unit out of a window! Only, it just killed a backyard glass patio table instead of WBAL radio's Doug Roberts. LOL (12/31/08) Dave's response: Good idea! Break out my DVD of "Serial Mom" and re-watch this weekend..... WDCT's tower site going commercial? The tract backs up against a ballpark and soccer field at Keith Ave Park, and - even though it falls between Rtes. 236 and 50 - is not exactly on the path most traveled. With a school building fronting the property, I have to wonder what kind of commercial entity would go in there and what exactly would make it so attractive, given the amount of empty office space *everywhere*. Also, in spite of the varying quality of material submitted to them for broadcast, the station's sound is actually pretty punchy and relatively clean. I don't listen to WDCT but I'd hate to see them go dark. (12/31/08) Even though WMAL's owner, Citadel, is nearly bankrupt, I think that their transmitter site may be a survivor. It is well-located for serving the DC area. There is plenty of space for more towers to accommodate quite-different directional patterns for other stations moving there. [Can you say NIMBY?] The real estate value of the WMAL site was probably greater than the value of the license at times in the past, but the land wasn't sold. The WTNT site is too far out in the country. (12/31/08) sha na na na na na na ... sha na na na ... Happy New Year's Dave! (12/31/08) Dave's response: Dittos! Predictions: Even more AM Stations with valuable transmitter sites to either diplex or simply go silent. There are several AM’s in the U.S. that have already gone silent because of land values. And, there are more than a few now diplexing that had not before. While diplexing AM’s is more complex than FM’s or TV’s (especially where dissimilar DA’s are involved) it can be done. And done successfully. Just look at what Alan Roycroft wrought for so many years in Honolulu with that stick off Ala Wai Drive. OK, I’ll admit that Honolulu has an advantage with everyone being ND and so much salt water being so nearby. My nominees around here? WMAL –That’s a natural. So much land to put so many McMansions on! It could easily diplex at the WTNT site or build a new site elsewhere. Dickerson perhaps?; WZHF/WDCT… This one will be a toss-up. The question will be land values. Residential (WZHF) or Commercial (WDCT). However, there’s also the possibility one or both could also go silent; WKDV /WPWC… These stations face nearby airport conflicts. Especially WKDV being so close to a once-again busy HEF. However, if the economic factors affecting their local listener base continue to decline, taking one (or both) silent or diplexing for both would not be out of the question. However, the WPWC site has its own problems being so close to MCAS Quantico. Ever notice those orange balls on the power lines over I-95 near Quantico? They are to protect the Marine jet jocks from those lines. My guess? Both stations may elect to build a joint site elsewhere. (Goldvein???) Yes, the WKDV site has some history to it. But history and $2.50 will buy you a cup of coffee and little else. A final prediction: With the shrunken coverage areas that many traditional broadcast TV’s will see with the “DTV transistion” (actually “DTV F*ckover”), they will find themselves at the other side of the table in the next round of retrans negotiations and we will possibly see “pay for play” take o n new meaning. In other words, stations will be paying (and for those who (in some cases) made almost extortionate demands in the past, paying a lot) for cable carriage. My advice would be to get unconditional must-carry status now while prime spectrum space is still there! Even with things like compression that makes CCIR system A look like HD (OK, I know I’m describing Comcast on a good day!) or switched digital streaming, that 1GHz headroom in a typical (Non-Comcast) CATV system starts looking awfully tight with things like DOCSIS 3.0, commercial services, gaming, home security/management, and telephone all vying for space. May we all survive 2009… Unsigned Corporate Suit (12/31/08) /\ December 31 Messages /\ \/ December 30 Messages \/ (RE: What is Wrong with WMAR?) Thanks for your reply Dave, I'm using rabbit ears on one analogue TV, rabbit ears on a digital converter box to view DTV on another TV and DSL (no I would never use Comcast, ever again because the cowards never answer the phone) to watch TV via the internet. I could understand if any one of these were having problems, attribute it to the signal processing. That is not the case. Each separate unit is having the same problem with the DTV being the worst. Actually, the DSL feed is expected to be more unstable so I personally discounted that feed. There is no reason for the analogue signal to be freezing then black then back to where the program is supposed to be, after to loss. And Mr. Hooper did respond with his engineer who stated, "We monitor our off-air signal in master control. Everything looks good here." Somebody should tell the engineering dept. to take a walk across York Road to the bar and view the station's signal there. When I ran a low powered station, I always checked the signal from outside the control room as occasion permitted to do a "quality control" monitoring. Interestingly enough, Mr. Hooper ignored my question as to why the phones aren't being answered. Robert Fritzges (12/20/08) Was flipping through the channels and who do I see but former FOX5 anchor on a show, CNBC Reports, who along with 5 other people is giving his thoughts on the recession.. (12/30/08) Saw former NBC4 anchor Shannon Breem on FOX5 reporting for FOX News..Loooooking goooood!!!! (12/30/08) Hi Dave, Wanted to let you know that my sports blog wrote about George Michael and I gave credit to you. You can find it at www.thedcsportspage.com.... TL (12/30/08) The following was forwarded to DCRTV..... Dear Mr. Hooper: All day today so far, WMAR is a transmitting wreck and is UNWATCHABLE! It started with Jamie's morning show, then carried into Good Morning America and is continuing all afternoon. I called your station 410 377-2222 and 410 377-8100, to see if 1) anyone was aware of this problem and 2) when it might be corrected. No one bothered to answer the phone after I purposely let it ring for a constant two minutes. It does not matter whether I watch it digitally or in analogue mode, the results are still the same (although digital does have a few seconds delay). What happened to WMAR???? Have all the people vanished (they certainly aren't answering the phone and I don't see how any technician who is proud of his work would let the signal continue to break up, then stop completely, unfreeze and then continue for a few measly seconds). Why is there no one manning the station? Guess you just don't need any viewers because treating us like this means you don't want loyal brand viewers like us anymore. Jamie is very talented and I am sure he won't have any problem finding work at a competent run station. Robert Fritzges (12/30/08) Dave's response: Are you watching via Comcast cable? Sounds to me like the WMAR digital signal to your cable system is screwed up. That would account for the picture freezes on the "analog" signal, which is obviously coming from the same digital feed. Try calling the cable guy. I have the same problem when watching WMPT's "analog" feed on my Comcast cable system here in Northern Virginia..... I guess "Stephen A. Smith" is an ESPN network guy; he filled in on 94.3FM ("Redskin Radio") this morning and demonstrated exactly how NOT to perform on the radio. Screaming and yelling, talking over everyone else, carrying on conversations with people off-mic, endless repetition....come to think of it, he fits right in on this lousy station. The only real requirement to get on the air there is having some childish nickname ("B-Mitch," "Smokin' Al," "Doc") and a complete inability to string together words into comprehensible sentences. A failed amateur hour that deserves to be yanked off the air. At least dead air doesn't give listeners headaches. (12/30/08) 'happy new year' you dopes before I go off on another lonely, bitter, depressing holiday drinking binge... Question: On Jan. 20, 2009 will NBCNews/MSNBC finally & officially change its name to OBAMA-TV??? "kinky~neo~con" (12/30/08) Dave's response: Well, for the past eight years, Fox News has been the official propaganda network of the Repub administration. Now, it'll be MSNBC for the Dem prez..... Dave, concerning your response, the N.Y. and L.A. duopolies that you cite (WNYW/WWOR and KCBS/KCAL) are allowed because, in each case, one of the stations is not one of the four highest-rated in its market; the fact that they’re VHF (instead of UHF) is, as far as the regulations are concerned, irrelevant. When Fox absorbed the former Chris-Craft/United Television stations, it was able to have instant duopolies in N.Y. (the aforementioned WNYW/WWOR), L.A. (KTTV/KCOP; another VHF/VHF combo), and other markets—and then was able to create some more duopolies, as a result of a few swaps; however, in Salt Lake City, Fox could not hold on to both the ABC affiliate that it inherited from Chris-Craft (KTVX) and its then-O&O (KSTU), as both stations were among the four highest-rated there. Again, thanks! EJM (12/30/08) Frank DeFilippo was Ron Smith's Alan Colmes. Someone he could verbally beat up on who'd never fight back. Someone who Ron could chide for his liberalism even though the guy agreed with Ron most of the time. I don't wish anyone the loss of a paying gig, but he won't be missed in the slightest. Howie (12/30/08) Concerning Monday’s Rant, any speculated deal for 5 and 9 to come under joint ownership (“Might 5's owner Fox sell 20 and buy 9?”) would not be technically possible under the current duopoly rules, as those rules stipulate that one company cannot own two of a market’s four highest-rated stations. Maybe there would be enough wiggle-room for joint operations between 5 and 9, but unless/until 9 falls behind 20 or 50 (or Fox decides to take a page out of the Sinclair playbook), there wouldn’t be enough for outright co-ownership. As an aside, the only reason that NBC could have sold WTVJ in Miami to Post-Newsweek (to operate in a duopoly with WPLG) is that WTVJ ranks sixth in the market—apparently behind the Univision and Telemundo O&Os. As always, thanks! EJM (12/30/08) Dave's response: Well, DC's Fox5 owner Rupert Murdoch did manage to get a duopoly exemption in NYC where he owns two VHFers - 5 and 9. Plus, CBS owns two VHFers in LA - 2 and 9. Obviously, if Murdoch did buy DC's 9, it would drop its CBS affiliation and probably become My Network 9. CBS could go to 4 or 20..... This is an answer to a question asked on 12/26. Lee Parker was PD of WCAO and did the morning show. He replaced Hugh Wanke on the morning show. In 1956 WCAO was purchased by Plough, Inc. and became one of the nations first Top-40 stations. A few of the talent stayed on. Ray Moffitt and Charlie Purcell stayed on. (I'm trying to remember something that happened over 50 years ago) Lee Parker hired me a year later. At the time I was the youngest DJ ever hired by WCAO. I was 20 and the next youngest was 35. Lee did mornings, Les Alexander was on midday. Hugh Cherry (who discovered Pat Boone - - It's in Pat's book) was afternoon, Alan Drake 6-9pm, and Ray Moffitt was 9-12. (still fuzzy). Lee Parker left and was replaced by Vance Randolph as PD in 1959. Vance was cited by the senate committee on payola for accepting "consulting fees" from record companies, which was legal at the time, but Plough, Inc. took him out of Baltimore, and sent him to WJJD in Chicago as their PD. Lee and Vance stayed in Radio for some time, but I don't know where. Alan Ford went to WITH after being fired for signing an autograph "Alan Putz" at a Bar Mitzvah." Johnny Bishop became Johnny Contino. His real name was Convertini (sp.) John worked for WITH, WFBR, WCBM, and also was the voice of MANY commercials. Gene Plumstead was the National PD for Plough, Inc., and was one of the smartest, and nicest people that I ever worked for. There were lots of changes at WCAO during the time I worked there. Jack Edwards was hired about six months after I started. He and I worked together for Jack Dawson at WWIN before that. Radio was really fun. Ed Graham (12/30/08) Why it's never a good idea to bring in temps for your graphics department over the holidays.... Check out this real screen grab from a promo on WJZ earlier, for tonight's "Kennedy Center Honors" program. Not only is it the "thirty-oneth" annual, but it'll be interesting to see how CBS fits a 2-hour show into the 10pm to 11pm slot....This I gotta see! (12/30/08) Here’s a 100% backer for the poster reflecting the notion that there’s nothing at all wrong with the business model of radio—it’s the pricing. The operators jumping off tall buildings are those that paid way too much for properties and now find that even radio’s obscenely high profit margins can’t cover their debt. The shame, of course, is that clusters spinning off millions in monthly operating profits are grasping at straws by slicing thousands in payroll—putting good people out of work—in a futile effort to pay mortgages that were way too high to begin with. Stupidity run rampant. Well, hold on for the shakeout. Those “pouncers” out there waiting for the 6X BCF prices to kick in may be able to put radio back on solid footing. (12/30/08) re: the station for sale --- has very good equipment --- obviously not wkhz. (12/30/08) Note to Christian: Each cable ready TV that I have owned has allowed the analog tuner to be set to 1) cable reception or 2) over-the-air reception. If, perhaps coincidental to the Verizon visit, your TV's tuner was accidentally set to the cable reception mode, your OTA reception of UHF stations would cease and desist. You may want to check that possibility. (Perhaps power was shut-off to your TV set during FiOS installation, and after power was restored, the TV reverted to its default setting of cable reception mode.) (12/30/08) Last night, Czaban (who is hosting Sports Reporters by himself since Pollin is on vacation), indicated that they would be talking about the Capitals all winter. I won't hold my breath. (12/30/08) This is a long shot, but I thought I'd ask the Mailbaggers about it. We have rabbit ears and could, until recently, receive VHF and UHF signals with varying degrees of strength. However, a couple of weeks ago we have Verizon's Fios service installed for computer and phone ONLY. We have not purchased TV service through Fios. After the technician left, the Internet and phone worked fine, but a day or two later, while flipping through our stations, we noticed that the UHF stations no longer come in. There's nothing but static on those channels. Is it possible that the Fios installation had something to do with that? We still receive the VHF channels as we always have. Christian (12/30/08) Yes, the WYRE transmitter site is in a remote location vulnerable to vandalism, but neither of the original transmitters has ever been significantly damaged. The station's brand-new 1946 Collins 300-G was rescued in 1992 by radio hobbyists, and it's now on the air from Columbia Station, south of Cleveland. The "newer" Gates BC-1H was rescued in 2004, also by radio hobbyists, and is on the air from Culpeper, Virginia. Despite being in the somewhat salty foggy air at the top of Spa Creek, both transmitters are in nearly mint condition, quite the show piece, each. (12/30/08) the other side of the coin from your Rant yesterday - Tom Taylor radio-info.com: “There really are people – wealthy people – who believe radio’s got a future.” That’s from a former group head who’s been circling the herd with the backing of some of those very wealthy people – waiting for the right opening to swoop in and start buying. I’ve called these folks the “Pouncers”, because they’re ready to strike when they spot prices they think are viable in today’s market – maybe 8 times cash flow. Or better, 6 or 7 times. A high-profile 6-times sale of a solid property would get a lot of people intrigued on the buying side, and might finally lead to some “capitulation selling.” (Can’t wait to find out what multiple Jeff Wilks is really paying for those three CBS FMs in Denver.) But if you’re looking for positive signs in 2009, just know that those pouncers – experienced radio operators – are out there. They still like the business model of radio, as some of them told me at the NAB Radio Show in Austin. They just don’t like where prices have been. (12/30/08) WBAL-TV 11 is now advertising on-air that starting around Jan. 21, 2009, their analog signal will be on very low-power, meaning it will be received by few people. They are claiming this is to allow for the final preparations for WBAL's DTV signal, but I don't think that's entirely the whole story as both WMAR and WJZ are also on the same tower, and those 2 are swapping transmitters. I'd imagine all kinds of hell is breaking loose on Baltimore's famed 1000 foot candelabra tower in the next month, which incidentally was the tallest freestanding antenna tower on the east coast when it was first built in the 1960s I believe (don't hold me to that date, i wasn't born yet). Is it true that a storm knocked out 2 of 3 of Baltimore's network TV stations and that is what led to the unprecedented cooperation from competing rivals at the time that led to the tower's construction? I'm surprised Scott Fybush hasn't included it in a calendar. Washington, DC could only wish it had such a structure. As for WYRE, I have no clue what feat of engineering it takes to get WYRE 810 up and running from the WBGR site, but at least the WBGR site is still there! hehe Also, drove by the WCHH 104.3 site the other day, appears to be still in use, so apparently no rush to move 104.3 to the FOX45 tower on TV Hill either. I guess thats some holiday cheer for PRAISE 104.1. :-) (12/30/08) WYRE has the worst audio I've ever heard. First of all, they get thier audio from WKHZ in Ocean City via the internet, a standard old mono feed. One can tell by listening to WYRE....the channels are way off. Second, the studios for WYRE just moved out of Glen Burnie. (12/30/08) Speaking of WKHZ in Ocean City, just found this ad posted this morning. Could Bill Parris be looking for a buyer for KHZ? "Resort City on the Altantic. Full time AM, lease both tower site and studio building. Very nice radio market, has very good equipment and ready for a new owner to take over. Owner looking for a quick deal, asking $150,000 cash." (12/30/08) /\ December 30 Messages /\ \/ December 29 Messages \/ i've come to notice how there is not a decent rock station in DC.....there is DC101 who claims themselves "DC's Rock Station", but it really is "DC's New Rock Alternative". Every damn time i turn to DC101 on my radio they are playing "Bleed It Out" by Linkin Park...WBIG is way too generic with their classic hits format.....but are less annoying than DC 101. 94.7 The Globe is the best of the three, because they play true classic rock, but what about a TRUE rock station?...why shouldn't 94.3 and 92.7 flip to a WFQX or WWRT/WWRE-like rock station, because WTEM never mentions those frequencies on air with their lame sports format? They should name it "Double Rock" or "The X" or something...oh yeah, thats right none of those signals can be heard in DC. maybe 106.7 can evolve into a true rock format with this new transmitter with Mike O'Meara in mornings. O yea, that would be sweet...... BTW if the Globe and WBIG change their formats in 2009, then i am done with DC radio. thank God for the internet.. (12/29/08) The "eff up" posting the screen grab of WUSA's feed of the football game may in fact be the poster. The poster claims the screen grab was @ 7:20 pm. Couldn't be. After watching the Skins (that's a story for another day) on TTG, I tuned to WUSA to watch 6o Minutes. Caught the final minute of the Jets-Dolphins and then 60 minutes all in HD. In fact 60Minutes started @ 7:14. Thus that screen grab was either taken at some other time or the problem is with the provider. (12/29/08) that Press box article you mentioned today... Four stations in Baltimore? They really should count 980 as one of the competitors, even if it's in Washington. I live north of Baltimore and I've listened to 980 since Mr. Tony was on there. Honestly, they should really count WFAN too. I know that I can pick it up better than almost all of the Baltimore stations, except maybe 1350. (12/29/08) I have to agree that technical standards have gone down hill over the years. Many of us remember the days of going to the federal building after studying for months to pass the old Third Class Radiotelephone test with "broadcast endorsement", that was the same test that the ship radio officers needed then. I was just a very young guy back about 1971 or so, a visit to the old WAYE studios at Sutton Place in Baltimore is all it took to get me hooked. I believe I met Gary Michaels then, or was it Frank Adair? Hard to remember... Back then, we jocks really feared the FCC, Ben Waple was the guy who signed the license then. Remember all the logging requirements like signing all pages, straight line thru stuff not aired, with initials and date? Studios even have modulation and deviation meters then, and we had to know what to look for too. I'll never forget my first touch with engineering, the old Gates transmitter at WBJC drifted off one Saturday. A call to Frank Zeiler, (one great engineer by the way), was all it took. I learned just how handy a heat lamp was to keep the crystal stable, and how creative engineers can be! Of course there were those days at WKTK, the owners son could not always be reached by dear old dad Brenner, so I was the guy sometimes called to get the transmitter back up after a storm. Can't forget to mention my calls at 6am to "miracle" Mike Fast, then at WPOC, to tell him that one channel was off on the turntable by 2 or 3 db! He still reminds me of that one. I never got the formal education that many engineers had, but it was in part the technical standards that the FCC had then, that affected all of us. I had the honor to work with a few of the best, and still do. Fortunately there are still many outstanding engineers who still uphold those standards, FCC mandated or not. Happy New Year! Tom Conroy (12/29/08) Curious about what stinky channel 4 is going to broadcast on Saturday nights instead of George Michael's shows. Come on, nod to Warner Wolf, it's going to be more of them effing infomercials. Rare occasion last week watching channel 4 news and Dan Hellie is up to do the sports during the 6 pm cast. Well Dan(mediocre sports anchor) intro's a lame-o piece by Czarniak on Clinton Portis( looks like he's blowing all his money on trinkets and beads, can you say post career bankruptcy) Anyways what was the point of having Hellie intro the lame-o piece by Zarniak just have the anchor intor the piece. Couldn't they have sliced off Hellie and kept Michael shows on Saturday! And who writes Zarniak's sports reports they all seem to follow the same silly play by play reel of highlights. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Wear them blouses lower baby and wink on occasion. Adieu to James Adams and Gary Reals. Btws, is Bruce Johnson also gone from channel 9 ? I dunno about meself but I actually find the new Curtis Sliwa show on WMAL rather entertaining. Any chance WJFK goes sportstalk, picks up Steve Czaban's morning show and Dan Patrick's mid-day show moves the chunkies back to evenings and bring'em back as the Sport's Junkies silly! I'm a fricking genius. Sure miss you Don Geronimo. Did you and Big Don O'Brien get together down there in the O.C. and regale each other with stories of Chrismus past? You know the parrot story and Tommy Gavin playing the lil' baby Jesus. Where have all the good times gone? Come Dancing, it's only yesterday Oh yeah, Craig Melvin brings it strong to the mike don't he, like he use to do sports somewhere? Is Jim Vance getting nervous? (12/29/08) WYRE has a Construction Permit for the WBGR site near Baltimore. They need to make hay while the sun shines since the CP expires in one month. WBGR is on 860 and WYRE is on 810, and this makes for a nearly impossible marriage. No indication of any FCC authority to operate WYRE at any other site, except the licensed one. (12/29/08) Back in the day, say 1966, one thing you could absolutely depend on was strict attention to delivering the best possible technical performance. Directional antennas would switch at the appointed minute. Daytime stations would illuminate and extinguish with the sun. A nice strong signal would be available. Nowadays, there are so many ways for a signal to deteriorate ... and that includes the result of management unwilling to hire somebody to watch over equipment to avoid playing two programs at once or none at all for hours on end. Back then, the FCC believed it was their duty to protect the public's investment of its spectrum space by citing infractions. Now the FCC is in the pocket of the zillionaire owners of broadcast stations and networks. What a world. What a world. (12/29/08) WYRE is still radiating from Silopanna road, although the studios are no longer there - I believe it is now the home of the Chesapeake Children's Museum. The studios at last check are in Glen Burnie. (12/29/08) Re: "Starting in late February and lall of March the talk on ESPN 980 will probably be 90% NCAA tourney talk so there will hardly be much Redskins talk then...." There have been two or three similar comments in the Mailbag lately. What on earth are they based on? Surely not the station's past, which has been a perfect blend of 100% Redskins and 0% everything else. There has been no word over the airwaves that the station is changing direction -- in fact, every single promo on the station promises wall-to-wall Redskins. That would be hard enough to stomach if the team were any good, but since little Danny Snyder has created The Endless Mediocrity, it is absolutely unlistenable. I think any hope for ESPN 980 to become a real station again is based on the same thing as any hope that the Skins will become a real NFL football team again: the end of the Snyder regime. As long as that dumb midget is in town, the station and the team will suck. (12/29/08) Did I read or someone told me that since the 'YRE Transmitter had been put up at the old AYE site that it is rarely on the air, and may just go off the air. I know AM is in such bad shape, and some of the relocations of certain sites has made things worst. Its a shame that little stick has biten the dust. It was such a little powerhouse in Annapolis, at one time. The original tower is still there, grounded to a Shopping cart and Rod buried in the creek. I was there for the last time the original Transmitter was fired up (and caught Fire) one of the old engineers that work there years ago back when Kerby obtained the station, (last time I heard a grown man cry).. The Studios had move to downtown w/ the FM and the old site was just a transmitter house, that had been broken into and vandalized, both the Gates and Collins Txmtrs were damaged - and the ''new'' transmitter (the size of a microwave) had light damage but still problem with processors. OH well...Its almost a new year or new world... (12/29/08) The Zenith DTT-901 DTV converter has analog pass-through. The DTT-900 (which I have) did not. (12/29/08) Re: "To the individual who has a $40 digital converter coupon in hand: NO... All units are NOT created equal, and the Lucky Goldstar-built unit with the Insignia or Zenith badge on its case isn't necessarily your wisest choice. Fortunately, Consumer Reports has reviewed 35 units and their findings are posted free on the 'net." It seems, for whatever reason, the Consumer Reports ratings are arranged by "best picture quality". Who cares? These boxes are mostly being used on small analog TVs, and the picture on every single CECB blows analog away due to the nature of the TV. If your primary interest in a CECB is picture quality, why? It's not like you're getting a true HD signal even with the "best" PQ. To me, the most important features are things like the ability to receive and hold signals, and I join a number of people who do recommend the Zenith/Insignia/LG-made box for that very reason. Also, the Zenith/Insignia box is the only one on that chart that offers all the extra features CR enumerates. (12/29/08) My TV antenna guy at West Virginia Electronics in Martinsburg says alot of the local broadcasters are drastically cutting back their power of their digital signals to save money before the February switchover. The biggest problem station in DC is NBC-4, which I used to get with my digital box and tower antenna like a dream.. but the past 2 weeks, I usually cannot receive it at all. WMAR and WBAL in Baltimore are weak- can't get them, while WJZ comes in as strong as the DC stations. WHSV-Harrisonburg used to come in clear as day... now-- dark. He says he's having problems with these stations at all his installations, as well as his own setup at home. Has anyone else heard anything from our local tv engineers? Antenna TV Viewer in Shepherdstown, WV (12/29/08) Dave's response: It wouldn't surprise me. I live in Fairfax County and have trouble getting DC's digital TVers via a rabbit ears-type antenna. If I fiddle with the antenna to get WRC, when I switch to WTTG I have to fiddle again. Likewise with almost all channel changes. Not like the old analog days, when you could scan the dial and pick up all area stations reasonably well. I have a strong impression that the "F" in FCC will stand for something different (and obscene) come February. And I'm even now noticing cable TV reception of the broadcast digital signals is becoming problematic. Like last night, I couldn't even watch WRC, WUSA, and WETA's HD signals on my local Comcast system. I had to switch over to the analog signals - but I won't be able to do that come February..... (I already miss The War on Christmas on Hammity and O'Reilly. I am going to have to wait until after Thanksgiving, 2009 for The War on Christmas to return.) no you won't. keep yourself in brownshirt shape all year by running to the ACLU everytime you see anything that resembles christianity in a public place. (12/29/08) Dave, I read your pre-2009 rant and couldn't agree more. Workers in the news business: resolve in 2009 to stop living in the past, stop clinging to old times and being nostalgic about the way things used to be. It's a waste of time. Develop new skills, new interests, ramp up your networking and control your fate - before some suit down the hall does. Take charge of your future with hope, optimism and courage. Hunkering down is the riskiest strategy of all. Change now - before you're forced to later. Good luck and Happy New Year. (12/29/08) If you ever wondered why you can't get WJFK 106.7 in College Park, MD at a U of MD sports event, here's the best explanation from WJFK's recent FCC filing after installing a new transmitter. Of course CBS co-owned WWMX 106.5 has a totally omnidirectional signal that is not so impaired in any direction (not to mention its transmitter is on such a much taller tower by hundreds of feet that has no geographic obstructions). Add these 3 things together, BINGO. (12/29/08) A post script to the advice on DTV converter boxes: If you have two of the $40 discount coupons burning a hole in your pocket, Meritline.com will sell you TWO of the Tivax STB-T8 units today for the grand total of $97.99 (before $80 coupon discount, with free shipping and no sales tax). If you decide that the Insignia NS-DXA1 is the best choice for you, Meritline is selling one of those boxes today for only $40 before coupon discount, which means you'd get it totally free. (However, I don't believe that particular model has "Analog Pass Through"). Whichever unit (or units) you purchase, be sure to follow Meritline's specific instructions for submitting the coupon number online. Examine all of the features that matter the most to you and DO YOUR HOMEWORK before ordering by googling the model you are most interested in. (12/28/08) That Santa with Holly Morris last Wednesday morning was possibly the creepiest ''Santa'' I've seen. Anyone check his criminal record? And was it just me or was Fox News trying to ''Americanize'' Christmas to the point of being creepy? I was waiting for them to trot out Jesus wearing a red, white and blue diaper and waving an American flag. Paul (12/29/08) Re: today's rant... When you said "WWCH" did you mean "WCHH"? (They do need to change the call letters when they change the format again.) ... Also, in regards to the analog TV shutdown, I expect a postponement of the date, although I think it would be extremely wrong to do so. There are always a certain number of people who are not ready for an event until they are forced to be. Throw the switch and then things can be properly sorted out. ... Some AM stations must already be preparing to go dark--WYRE has been off the air more than on over the past several days, and today they sound like they need a new "C" battery in their transmitter. ... I can't say I'd be sorry to see some of the hours and hours of repetitive and worthless local news go away, but what will we get? More judge shows? Yuk! It seems to me that people most fondly remember low-budget, locally-produced shows but where is the talent to pull off such a thing these days? I'd rather see someone do a good knockoff of "Totally Twisted Flix" (did they ever make more than 6 shows? Maybe Christopher Armstead would be available to do more himself) than almost any of the syndicated shows we have on during the day here. ~~CA in BC (12/29/08) Dave's response: Yes, I did mean WCHH. It's been corrected..... Ooops! Listening to SiriusXM's 90s on 9 at 9 this morning. After Sixpence None The Richer’s “Kiss Me” was over, there was dead air for 15 seconds. Then the DJ, Rick Stacy, comes on in a prerecorded promo saying, “90s on 9, leave your iPods at home… (blah, blah blah)”, then a silent second then he says “fuck me.” Dead air again for 15 seconds when the right promo comes on… Bob/VARTV (12/29/08) Dave's response: What? Did he think he was on Howard 100? I already miss The War on Christmas on Hammity and O'Reilly. I am going to have to wait until after Thanksgiving, 2009 for The War on Christmas to return. Unfortunately, there will be no O'Reilly radio show then, so Hammity will need to step up to the plate, and do double duty for The War on Christmas. Cant wait. Oh, and my favorite quote, "Sarah Palin is a Great American, a true patriot, who listens to talk radio and gets it." Mark Levin (12/29/08) To the individual who has a $40 digital converter coupon in hand: NO... All units are NOT created equal, and the Lucky Goldstar-built unit with the Insignia or Zenith badge on its case isn't necessarily your wisest choice. Fortunately, Consumer Reports has reviewed 35 units and their findings are posted free on the 'net. www.consumerreports.org... You'd be smart to grab one of the very latest generation of converters with the analog pass through feature. Some units have crisper video and/or audio than others, and some units retain more data in their onscreen program guide. I'm very happy with my choice of the Tivax STB-T8 from Meritline.com for which I paid $11.50 per unit after the fed coupon discount... with free shipping and no sales tax. As always, your mileage may vary. (12/29/08) For the person who wrote: "This weekend, I dropped over $1,100 at Best Buy on a Sharp LCD set for my living room" and then got pitched for some bizarre warranty. Best thing I can say to you: DON'T BUY at Worst Buy (alias Best Buy) and you won't get ripped off. On another topic: George Michael. I hope he does not appear on TV ever again. TV is bad enough. He makes it worse with his softball interviews. And didn't his wife used to write his sportscasts for some years. (12/29/08) The BestBuys Insignia is also known as the Zenith DTT901 at other stores. They seem to be the best choices. (12/29/08) WJZ 13 was flipping in and out of HD today, skipping audio, you name it, all kinds of problems, bad deal for an NFL PLAYOFF implication type game I'd say. (12/29/08) Dave's response: I was noticing digital breakup on WRC-HD, WUSA-HD, and WETA-HD on my Comcast system in Reston on Sunday evening. In fact, I had to switch to WRC's analog standard def signal to watch the San Diego-Denver game because the picture freezes and stuttering audio got so bad. Isn't digital TV wonderful? Hmmm..... /\ December 29 Messages /\ \/ December 28 Messages \/ For the Ravens HD game problems, It appears that the blame might not been with WUSA...I had that same pic and I have DIRECTV That pic looks like it was from a DIRECTV tuner..if you had taken the time to change to the 9.1 feed coming from WUSAs transmitter...the feed was fine...CBS changed to the Jets/Dolphins game...WUSA has no control over what CBS and the NFL dictates....FOR THE 11 MILLIONTH TIME. (12/28/08) Wow... WFVA down to just one local on-air staffer. It's sad to see how far a once mighty local media operation has fallen. My dear friend. colleague, and contemporary John Morgan must be spinning in his grave... Unsigned Corporate Suit (12/28/08) Received my voucher for a converter box..Are they all about the same or does anyone have a preference? (12/28/08) Dave's response: I don't have one. But a key source tells me that the Best Buy Insignia digital comverter box is the best..... Broadstripe, Broadstripe, Broadstripe... I love ya and I hate ya all at the same time. Broadstripe Communications (formerly Millenium Digital Whatever-they-called-themselves / North Arundel Cable) is really the cheapest guy in town when it comes to broadband internet / HD digital cable w/ DVR / and VoiP phone service. I literally pay at least $60 less per month for ALMOST the same stuff that Comcast and FiOS offers. Sure, there's no On-Demand (DVR kinda killed On-Demand for me anyways), sure their HD selection is a bit lacking, but again, I'm paying less for about 80% of the stuff I got from the other guy (Comcast-which in AAco., you have a lot of choice, and we've yet to try FiOS). Anyways... RAVENS vs. Jacksonville Jag's. Is there WJZ-HD service with Broadstripe? NO. You get WUSA's HD feed. To start things off, we didn't get a true HD feed until almost the 2nd quarter. And guess what else?In the 4th quarter what happens? They switch the feed to another game, in a non HD feed to top it off. And when they go back to Baltimore, guess what? No more HD feed, just like the beginning of the game? Did the Comcast-er's of Baltimore City have to deal with this crap? I can almost clearly remember having WJZ-HD when I lived there. Now, I know I'm going to get 80% less because I'm saving 20% on my bill, but does that mean that football games and TV shows truly get cut up too, even if you get the channel with the supposedly proper signal? Yech... but screw it. At least it wasn't in black and white or on the radio, right? Speaking of radio: I wanted to listen to the 98 Rock feed of the game via the 'net while watching the game. Instead, they played Mickey and Amillia repeats. Is this due to national radio rights or something? How come I wasn't informed of this? Ok, I'm gonna go commit Hara-kiri now. HAI! ...keninGlenBurnie (12/28/08) Attached is WUSA CHannel 9 HD channel for at least an hour today. Then they had the Miami Game on SD when it should be Ravens. I took the picture about 720pm. What a bunch of eff up's. I was flipping back and forth from the Redskins game and the HD channel was showing SD mostly before halftime. (12/28/08) I've always felt that in 2 team markets like NYC, SanFran, & now DC/Baltimore, there should be an NFL doubleheader on both networks since often we get short changed at the ability to watch out of market games having to mostly watch our local teams for 2 of the 3 Sunday games, well unless you have the NFL Ticket. But, the NFL never cares about the fans, so that'll never happen. (12/28/08) Hey Dave, I have direct TV and it seems like wjz-dt is having some difficulty today the hd reception keeps going in & out i can understand the new england & buffalo game because of the 70mph winds up there but does hdtv reception go downhill with the wind? Derek-Owings Mills (12/28/08) I can hear Pat Garrett now... "This is the 1640 radio network! KJI-955 McLean, KFP-942 Reston, and WGN-874..." (12/28/08) The Ravens game starts the same time that the Redskins 4:00, so what is your point? (12/28/08) Why does the washington post have the game ( Ravens) Start at 4: 00. Then you go to NFL.COM The game starts at 1:00 . What is the right time. (12/28/08) Astute observation about the possibility of Best Buy being outlived by the extended warranty periods, considering what I've read about their recent sales figures. More to the point, LCD and plasma TVs do not need any sort of analyzer hookup to achieve razor-sharp resolution; all you need is the Sharpness adjustment all sets have. These sets do not require convergence, degaussing, or other such things that CRT sets did. One thing you can do to make your new set look better is find the Color Temperature adjustment and change it from "Cool" to either "Normal" or "Warm", depending on your set and your preference. "Cool" exists mostly to make the sets look good under a store's fluorescent lights. To fine tune the color further, you can get a DVD like the Avia Guide to Home Theater (that's the one I have; there are others) and spend a little bit of time with just the adjustments available in the menus. I know some people would rather spend the $300 to have Best Buy tweak the controls for them, but to me it's just extra profit for them to make up for slow sales. ~~CA in BC (12/28/08) Dave's response: I got a $25 gift card for Best Buy and I can't fucking find anything I want. Their DVD selection is so miserable. Not a single "Star Trek" TV boxed set - not NG, DS9, or Voyager. Next door at Barnes & Noble, they have plenty of ST TV boxed sets. But I don't have a gift card for them..... I've heard Pollin say on the air that he knows nothing about hockey and that "if someone told him there was a hockey game going on in his backyard, he would shut the blinds.". I find that to be a truly pathetic commentary on the man as a professional. Shouldn't he, on his own initiative, WANT to learn about a sport that is drawing 18,000 fans per game, is Washington's best hope for a professional championship this season (and probably for the forseeable future) and has a player that is as dominant in his sport as Sammy Baugh and Walter Johnson were in there's? Wouldn't that make him a more well rounded sports talk host? Wouldn't that make his show better? Pollin is a perfect example of dead wood. A guy that has been around way too long, is still living in the past and refuses to change. (12/28/08) Dave quit whining that the Post can't admit they get whupped by you. Do they matter in your scheme of things? Your rivals are TVBistro and their instant internet kin. Old newspapers don't count, nor do their writers. Do like Dan Rather "Here's a look NOW at what tomorrow's newspapers may cover..." (12/28/08) Dave's response: I know. Being ignored by old-fashioned print media is an "acknowledgement" that you're constantly scooping and humiliating them. It's a badge of honor of sorts. I really owe Paul Farhi a debt of gratitude..... Interesting NFL TV news this week....... Today's Ravens & Redskins games will BOTH be some of the LEAST VIEWED in the NATION! www.the506.com... The Skins game won't even be on Baltimore TV as far as I can tell. Now of course the Skins are out of the playoffs so little TV exposure is expected, but the Skins are a local team. And the Ravens game has serious playoff implications for several teams including the Ravens. Normally the Skins are given the royal treatment by the NFL, but as usual, the Ravens get shoddy treatment from the NFL & the networks. And you wonder why Baltimore has such an inferiority complex? Geez, even ESPN and CBS practically admitted the Steelers/Ravens game was fixed (those 2 calls were so bad it's hard to not think otherwise)! The NFL has NEVER followed its OWN rules when it comes to Baltimore. In Baltimore, it's a tradition, we just expect to get the screws from the NFL. That's why my New Year's prediction is........ Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl! Happy Holidays everyone! :-) (12/28/08) This has more to do with the *purchase* of a new HD television than it does the subject matter being broadcast: This weekend, I dropped over $1,100 at Best Buy on a Sharp LCD set for my living room. I'm fairly happy with my acquisition, even though it has yet to arrive (being shipped from another store). They sold me on the extended 4-year program (I said yes 'cuz new shit always blows up before 4 years is over), but I drew the line at their optional "Magnolia" service where, for an extra $300, they will come to my house after installation, connect "a $13,000 analyzer" to my set and fine-tune the damn thing for razor-sharp resolution. To demonstrate, they had two sets on display, A/B'ing the same program. And yes, the Magnolia side appeared sharper... but to my eye, not $300 sharper. For $1k+, shouldn't I expect this kind of performance right out of the box? I find it appalling that we are being sold a bill of goods about the resolution and crispness of today's digital picture, yet said picture cannot be achieved unless one pays EVEN MORE than the cost of the set that promised it in the first place. I'm writing to Sharp, the FTC and to numerous broadcast technical boards about this inquiring about its legitimacy; and to know if this service is necessary, or are we just being offered another worthless Rusty Jones treatment? To borrow a malapropism from an earlier posting, "Pardon me Philip Farnsworth, but I don't think so." (12/28/08) Dave's response: I did buy and renew a "home warranty" on my condo (couple hundred bucks per year) because it has an aging heat pump/air conditioner that'll cost something like $4K if (when) it goes. But on stuff like TVs and appliances, I've always avoided buying the "extended warranty" because you're basically paying in advance for repairs that probably won't be needed. Hell, with the current economy, your TV has a better chance of surviving the next four years than Best Buy does..... /\ December 28 Messages /\ \/ December 27 Messages \/ Starting in late February and lall of March the talk on ESPN 980 will probably be 90% NCAA tourney talk so there will hardly be much Redskins talk then. It is a shame that there isn't much Caps talk at all on ESPN 980 because they should be the talk of the town now that the Skins won't be playing after Sunday Night. (12/27/08) Bitching about the narrow-minded view of sports on Sportscrap980? Welcome to Andy Polley’s House of Echo – why should anyone be surprised? The day is built around football players (Doc, B-Mitch) and football junkies (Andy, Steve). Basketball is a distant #2; baseball a down-the-track #3 (although Andy always makes time to talk about how nobody cares about the Nats, because HE doesn’t care about the Nats); every mention of hockey is put out with a nasty little, “Here you go, puckheads, so stop complaining.” Andy and Steve know nothing, and care less, about baseball and hockey. Just listen to the rare discussions – they just don’t KNOW anything. It’s kind of sad, but it’s Andy’s apparent position that he’s been on this station since the early 90s, so the listeners can kiss his ass. Sincerely, TMU (12/27/08) The callers raise some good points. Why DOESN'T WTEM ever have any free time where callers can call up to discuss any sport that they want? The station is so regimented that it rarely even has free call time for a particular sport, preferring instead to throw out specific topics that callers must talk about. For example, it is never call up and talk about the Redskins. Instead, it is call up and talk about Portis' squabble with Zorn, or whether Campbell is the QB of the future, or whether Jason Taylor is a bust, etc. Are the hosts that ignorant and unqualified that they can't deal with the prospect of letting callers decide what to talk about? And Mike in Fairfax is particularly on point about the Capitals. The team has already put together one of the best sports stories in Washington history (their mad rush from last place to win the division this past season) and, from every appearance, there are more great things to come. And Ovechkin is a player for the ages; one that Washington is EXTREMELY fortunate to have here. Yet WTEM pretty much ignores the Caps, apparently based on 15 year old surveys about what people want to talk about. THIS Caps team is different. THIS Caps team is special. And THIS Caps team is setting ratings records for hockey and attendance records at the phone booth. Yet WTEM continues to jerk off. One could blame Snyder's ownership EXCEPT that the station was like this before Snyder bought it. People who can't accept that there is demand for the Caps, the Nats, college teams other than Maryland, etc. need to go. And Pollin leads that list. By the way, his book with Shapiro is a rip off IMHO. (12/27/08) I agree they should have a show like Ken Beatrice's show was. He let the fans talk about any sport they wanted talk about and he never made fun of anyone if they wanted to talk about hockey or women's basketball. (12/27/08) (regarding a previous post) "Paul Shanklin is a longtime friend, and I (Chip Saltsman, a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee), think that Republican National Committee members have the good humor and good sense to recognize that his songs for 'The Rush Limbaugh Show' are light-hearted political parodies." In the interest of equal time, here's a little parody the lefties might enjoy: www.drewdaniels.com (12/27/08) Dave: Just got back from a cold Christmas trip to upper Michigan and read/listened to the various George Michael related stories surrounding his recent split with WRC. Like him or not, George is a pro with a somewhat twisted view on how to handle people but when it comes to producing a quality/A+ product, George is number one!! Here's the problem with taking his shows to another regional network...Comcast Sportsnet and MASN are and always will be cheap about their ways. If George takes Redskins Report and Full Court Press to another network, it needs to be in HD and look better than the Jim Zorn Show or Channel 5's Redskins Gameday. Bottom line, Mark Shapiro needs to step-up and start a Redskins-owned production company and produce these shows... keeping Comcast and MASN far away from the product and people. I hope George realizes even the cheapest people can talk sweet game! (12/27/08) The NY Times website takes a look at the diminished cultural impact of Howard Stern and the future viability of Sirius-XM, in the article 'Satellite Radio Still Reaches for the Payday'. www.nytimes.com (12/27/08) As a veteran of several diary reviews, I can attest to how flawed the paper diaries were. Very easily contrived and abused. It was horrifying to see diaries from different families that had clearly been written in the same hand. Reliance on being filled in weekly, at best. Does anyone remember the diary that put WMZQ over the top one quarter,? The diary was attributed to a cat's listening daily but the diary, a single diary that made the difference, was allowed because the cat's owner made the choice each day to turn the radio on and off. The PPM cannot do any worse. What the industry cannot get through the thick skulls of academics and race-baiters who question PPM, is that this technology delivers listener data that seems to much more closely approximate what PDs and GSMs have heard on the street for years. Written diaries OTOH always seemed to contradict the street. If you really champion change that reflects the will of the people, then PPM is the method of choice for accurate ratings. (12/27/08) (Everett said) Bought myself an HD Radio to arrive next week (end) I bought a used ham receiver off craigslist. Its noisy, hard to keep in tune, most of the time there isn't much on to listen to and God knows there is no music to be had. But it is infinitely more absorbing to listen to than anything on commercial radio right now. (12/27/08) Dave's response: IMHO, buying an HD Radio is worth it just for DC101's erockster. If we knew that the cool eclectic rock channel would be here for the next year or two, I would confidently recommend buying an HD Radio. But frankly, DC101 could replace it with something else tomorrow. You never know..... I just wish Red Zebra 980 would have one show with open lines to discuss any and all sport topics, much like Ken Beatrice's old Sportscall show, that would air from 7 - 9 PM on nights when 980 isn't broadcasting a game. (12/27/08) Dave, I'm curious as to what your belief's in both radio and TV ratings are. I find that it's rather odd that the placing of radio station's ranking's are totally upside down now compared to what they were before the switch from diary based station tracking vs. the new electronic, ultra-low-frequency-from-radio-station-triggered technology known as Portable People Meters. From what I've read of the technology, the devices can decipher what radio station you are listening to directly from the sounds that it hears in real time. That's a pretty huge step towards finding what people really listen to in real time as opposed to writing in a journal and just putting what station you listened to "the most", ala I listen to 92Q all day, or 98 Rock in the morning, followed by Rush, then Ed Norris, then Don and Mike, yadda yadda. I cannot believe that they would release the PPM tech without it being thoroughly tested, but I haven't read or heard from any testers (well, I don't really know any to be honest). What I think: spread the PPM's to equal ratio demographics and if the device does what it says than we'll know for sure what people truly listen to. And IF THIS IS THE CASE ALREADY than what the PPM's prove is just how flawed the original journal based ratings were. Advertisers beware: ratings are not everything. In fact, they may be one of the least important aspects to radio ad sales. Demographics and content are far more important than what the ratings say. If WPGC or WRNR ads has typically increased your business and their ratings stink, well who gives a crap: you sold your product, right? What it comes down to is who is listening and why are they listening? And are your ads going to be heard because people won't change the channel since the music or the the talk or whatever comes back faster? (12/27/08) Dave's response: I think the PPMs are probably flawed just like the old diaries were. But probably a bit less so. The problem with the PPM is that it records not only what you are listening to, but also what those "near you" are listening to. Like someone in another office cubicle, or sitting next to you on the subway or bus, or in carpool, or in a store or doctors' office setting. It's probably an accurate measure of "what's playing around you" but not necessarily what you're actually "listening to." I always thought that the old diary results showing DC's five top radio stations being "WTOP and four urbans" couldn't be accurate either, though. Since corporate radio suits will be so "uber-fixed" on the weekly PPM numbers, there'll be even less chance to build and "grow" cool radio stations (like we have any already). So, look for more "tricks" to "juice up" the PPM numbers - a la even more "cookie cutter" cheap and generic formats. Sigh..... In Wilmington, De. WSTW's HD-s is Grafetti Radio. It was a decent concept to start, but sounds totally canned now too. I predict by years end, HD-2 & 3 broadcast will go the way of AM stereo. btw---I still no of no one outside of radio who has a HD radio. (12/27/08) "Instead of talking about [the Redskins] 95% of the time [ESPN980] will cut back to 75%... Walker, Mitchell, and Thompson don't know a thing about hockey or baseball and only Al Koken can talk intelligently about either sport. Thompson can carry basketball but the callers won't stand for too much Caps and Nats so it will be about 75% Redskins, 23% Wizards, and 2% Nats and Caps until next July." Apparently Kevin Sheehan (Doc Walker's co-host) is a Terps and ACC basketball nut, so those will probably be huge topics on that show once football season's over. Meanwhile the Capitals have put together one of the best records in the NHL thus far and have arguably the league's top superstar, whereas the Wizards are currently the second worst team in the NBA (albeit with two of their best players sidelined). Not only that, but the Caps are outdrawing the Wiz at Verizon Center and getting higher ratings on TV - so for shows like Sports Reporters to continue treating them like an insignificant blip on the local sports radar worthy of no more than an occasional passing mention makes no sense whatsoever. The notion that listeners "won't stand" for too much hockey talk sounds like the lame explanations for giving short shrift to the team that the station has offered in the past. While one might argue that it was justified over recent years when the Capitals were mired at the bottom of the league standings, there's definitely no excuse to ignore hockey now. Claiming that the sport's outside your comfort zone just doesn't cut it - either take a crash course or bring on guests who cover or pay close attention to the Caps. As Channel 4's Lindsay Czarniak remarked during an interview on the Wizards radio broadcast a few weeks ago: "Alex Ovechkin plays here - why isn't that a bigger deal?". Speaking of 4, George Michael was a guest on Reporters yesterday and hinted that he might try to resurrect Redskins Report elsewhere on TV in the near future (hopefully for next season). He also related a story suggesting that ex-Skins assistant coach Al Saunders was the real culprit behind the infamous double timeout at the end of last year's Buffalo game at FedEx Field that gave the Bills an easier game winning field goal attempt and led to Joe Gibbs taking a beating in the media. While there's no question that some of the criticism (in particular Steve Czaban's on 980) was incredibly disrespectful and mean-spirited toward the former head coach, I don't see the need for King George to try and shift the blame to Saunders a year later inasmuch as Gibbs went out of his way to take the full bullet at the time. Mike, Fairfax (12/27/08) Bought myself an HD Radio to arrive next week. Outside of WAMU feeds though, I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it. At least people in Hartford can pick up minor league hockey. Maybe I should move to there. Everett W. (12/27/08) Dave's response: I have an HD Radio and love WAMU's second news talk channel and DC101's erockster, eclectic rock channel. If you love bluegrass, you'll love WAMU's Bluegrass Country, and WHUR's World "world" music channel has also been critically acclaimed. If I was closer to Baltimore, I'd also enjoy listening to 98 Rock's HD channels, especially its indie rock channel. But folks, that's about it. Most everything else on local digital radio sounds kind of bland and canned..... Dave, I know I am a couple of days late with this post, but, since no one else has mentioned it yet, I feel I needed to send this to you. Weasel’s Xmas show that aired on 94.7 Xmas Eve was a trip down memory lane for me. WHFS used to do this type of show years ago, but after I moved out to the hinterlands, I was not able to get a good enough signal to pick up the show. There were a ton of favorite twisted Xmas songs and Weasel hit on them all. I felt like I was once again listening to the Dysfunctional Family Xmas. Thank you, Dave, for bringing it to my attention when you posted the information back a while ago. Without that post I would have missed out on a really great show. I also want to give Mike O’Meara props for calling into the show that night and telling Weasel what a great job he was doing and that he, too, was enjoying the show. That showed a lot of class on his part. Haymarket Joe (12/27/08) Dave's response: I was hanging out with friends and didn't get to listen to Weasel's show. Glad to hear it went well. Happy Christmas Weasel. Wouldn't it be nice if 2009 brought us a rebirth of real progressive rock WHFS and a rightful place for Weasel on the DC radio dial..... /\ December 27 Messages /\ \/ December 26 Messages \/ I cannot believe the FUBAR sound of WJZW-HD2. The 6-7pm hour has included 28 minutes of DEAD AIR. A legal ID, a jungle and two selections of music. I gather these may be the "optional" selections to cover unsold breaks. This is a top 10 market station. Any wonder HD will never sell? (12/26/08) Dave's response: Just curious. Did anybody give or get an HD Radio for Christmas? Anybody? "Ref; 'For the people that don't want to hear about the Redskins 24/7. This should make them happy ESPN 980 will probably not be talking about them too much longer.' You are either kidding or it's your first year listening to WTEM. Instead of talking about them 95% of the time they will cut back to 75%. They have nothing else to talk about." Is this a comment on how WTEM is run, or on the ignorance of Washington sports fans? (Or both?) -- Vincent in Triangle (12/26/08) Am I the only one who turns a whiter shade of pale and turns channel every time I have to endure another rendition of the Soldier's Story mrmom.amaonline.com? It is not enough that these slick advertising military industry profiteers get to spend their bloated military dollars on their own holidays, but now they have to pollute our holiday airways with this sappy frightening creepy depressing crap. I feel sad for the stations that are strongarmed into playing this dark freaky dirge (12/26/08) Ref; "For the people that don't want to hear about the Redskins 24/7. This should make them happy ESPN 980 will probably not be talking about them too much longer". You are either kidding or its your first year listening to WTEM. Instead of talking about them 95% of the time they will cut back to 75%. They have nothing else to talk about. Walker, Mitchell, and Thompson don't know a thing about hockey or baseball and only Al Koken can talk intelligently about either sport. Thompson can carry basketball but the callers won't stand for too much Caps and Nats so it will be about 75% Redskins, 23% Wizards, and 2% Nats and Caps until next July. (12/26/08) That sucks that Neal Estano is leaving 11 News. He was the only meterologist on in the AM that gives the weather in a straight no nonsense calm delivery regardless of the conditions. I hope he isn't replaced with Sandra Shaw but doubt that we will be so lucky. Wherever he is going and for whatever reasons I hope he has the best of luck. (12/26/08) For the people that don't want to hear about the Redskins 24/7. This should make them happy ESPN 980 will probably not be talking about them too much longer since there won't be any playoffs so you will probably hear them talk about the teams in the playoffs and alot of basketball talk so the Skins won't be mentioned too much untill free agency starts in March. (12/26/08) Wow talk about flashback in regards to your 12/26 rant mentioning Root Boy Slim. I have not heard that name in a number of years. How many people who read DCRTV are actually familiar with great classics like "Dare to be Fat" and "Liquor Store Holdup In Space." Time to dust off Root 33 LP's I have. I think in some box my brother in law has a pair of those ROOT glasses. I am 38 now and was brought to one of his shows by my brother-in-law when I was about 13 at a club which i am unable to remember the name. (12/26/08) Like others who've posted here, I hope George Michael's "Redskins Report" and "Full Court Press" are picked up by another local station. I can't speak to the ratings or business wisdom for WRC's decision, but it's a loss for local sports fans. (12/26/08) I heard that Michael Hughes woke up and thought he saw the ghost of Rob Spewak but then realized it was really Rob ransacking his house for valuables. Paul (12/26/08) ("In 2000, the parent company was sold to The Guitar Center and Bradley later moved from its Rockville location to Frederick. You may recall that Matthews in the early 1980s attempted to start a radio station in Reston on 700 AM"...) Kind of ironic since The Guitar Center chain bought Rockville's Veneman Music over 10 years ago and Veneman's used to sell a line of guitars built exclusively for them called "BRADLEY"! One other note, SCMS also stood for "Serial Copy Management System" which was foisted on Digital Audio Tape recorder manufacturers by the RIAA because they feared a wave (no pun intended) of perfect digital copies being pirated from CD's onto DAT tape. The technology was easily circumvented by either the purchase of a studio/broadcast grade DAT recorder (TASCAM DA-60, etc.) or by installing a mod to the unit that ignored the SCMS protocol. (12/26/08) WBALTV11 news morning news meteorologist Neal Estano's last day was today. Any word on where he's heading off to, and possible replacements? www.wbaltv.com (12/26/08) I have three questions about WCAO and WITH from the 50's and 60's I was wondering if someone could answer. One, who was a program director of WCAO, Lee Parker or Vance Randolph? Two, did Alan Ford work at WCAO besides WITH and three did Johnny Bishop later become Johnny Contino? Bruce (12/26/08) I hope it's okay. I have two more questions about WCAO. Does anyone know where Vance Randolph and lee Parker went after they left WCAO? Did they stay in radio? Bruce (12/26/08) NBC4 won't be happy until no one's watching. First they cut folks like Susan Kidd, which I'm still not over. She was the best! Not to mention Arch and George. Then they bring on the unwatchable Keith Garvin and Craig Melvin. Now they let James Adams go too. I was hoping they'd do something intelligent and maybe use James to fill Jim Vance's shoes when he retires next year - instead of what appears to be the grooming of Garvin or Melvin. And since all their other talent isn't getting any younger, and many of them have already been there for 25 to 30 years. Next fall won't make it any easier with Leno as the 11 o'clock lead in. With all this, two words come to mind, Buh BYE! Carl, Alexandria (12/26/08) Boy, hearing the seasoned, voice of Dave Arlington on WASH-FM this morning reminds me that Washington, DC really is a top 10 market. He's so good-- talking up to songs, and talking out of them, during the final few chords of music-- to break. What a difference he made. Rita (12/26/08) When Governor Palin said something absolutely ridiculous live on the Chris Plante Show, Chris Plante didn’t dump the comment. The comment she made on the Chris Plante show days before the election was so dumb even ABC News covered it on their on their WMAL hourly broadcast, and the Governor later went on national television to try and nullify it. At least Mark Levin was smart enough to tape his interview with Governor Palin and supply her the answers beforehand. Governor Palin said on the Chris Plante Show that the press was infringing on her First Amendment rights, showing her lack of knowledge about the Constitution. Chris Plante then was "bitch slapped" behind the scenes so much by the Republicans that he went on the air the very next day to try and make the argument that it is Obama that is interfering with the press' First Amendment rights. Here we have a tool; no independence, no free thinking, no backbone, just Chris Plante being a tool for the old guard at the RNC. When Chris Plante jabs out a talking point, like "I don't see anywhere where the UAW is making any concessions" his opinion is based on not reading the newspapers. This "ignorant self righteous bliss" is being a tool. It is my honor to nominate Chris Plante for the “Worst in local broadcast in DCRTV Land." (12/26/08) /\ December 26 Messages /\ \/ December 25 Messages \/ Cigarette commercials on vintage radio broadcasts are allowed as historical documents, just as any commercials from those shows are allowed to be aired (you occasionally hear them on WAMU's "The Big Broadcast"). Hearing an L&M commercial from 1955 isn't going to make me rush out to buy a pack. -- Vincent in Triangle (12/25/08) From the Borough of Hanover in the beautiful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I hope all you folks had a very Merry Christmas. You too Dave. Johnnyu (12/25/08) Thanks for listening to our "Golden Age of Radio" Christmas marathon which, by the way, we've extended to midnight Dec. 26. We present these vintage shows complete and unedited. Most of the time those old commercial spots were done live--often they were worked into the script. Many of the sponsors and products no longer exist. These old radio programs are, in and of themselves, historical. In order to preserve their historical integrity, we air them in their original form. They reflect the standards of the time they were produced, and they are not modern-day endorsements. Thanks again for listening. Outside our coverage area, we're at www.whfc911.org. Gary Helton, WHFC-FM 91.1, Bel Air (12/25/08) To the gentleman who posted about Chris Plante: Sir, Chris Plante is just bad at what he does. There is a reason he is at WMAL. He isn't good at legitimate talk radio so he works there and works there cheap enough to keep a job. He may very well be a nice guy off the air but he is a horrible talk show host on the air. That's the complaint most have. There is one person that thinks he's the best and bless her heart for thinking so but most people don't like him because he's not good at what he does. I think if he had a legitimate news background he should try to get back to it and leave the talk show stuff to those who are better suited for it. Merry Christmas. (12/25/08) I've been enjoying WHFC's “Golden Age of Radio" Christmas Marathon last night and today. If you haven't 'tuned-in' yet, the classic Christmas episodes of vintage radio shows continues through 9pm Friday night at www.whfc911.org and on 91.1 FM in Belair. Now, I don't mean to be a Scrooge or a Grinch, but hasn't it been illegal, since January 2, 1971, to run cigarette commercials on radio and TV? Lots of these old radio shows were sponsored by tobacco companies and they include all the cigarette ads. Just wondering ... (12/25/08) Dave's response: Broadcasters made a pact to not air any cigarette ads, but I don't believe the ads were ever officially banned by the FCC..... (quote) Wouldn't you think that they could find a few Jews to sit in and give us something to listen to? (end) Aw man, talk about having no class! I hope your Christmas present gets wedged somewhere anatomically unpleasant. (12/25/08) Channel 4 has taken down the spot for ''viewer feedback''. Cowards. They must be taking tips from 9. Maybe 4 wants to make more room for those gloriously idiotic ''green'' reports from Wendy. Tip to Wendy: No one cares. I saw her telling people they should ''go green'' with Christmas gifts. Are you kidding me? Someone gives me a ''green'' gift; I'm going to their house and taking a crap on their front lawn IN the day time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my bottle of scotch and old copies of Hustler. Paul (12/25/08) Dave's response: If 7 was smart, it would hire George Michael and wage an on-air campaign to "Turn Off 4." That would be cool. Don't know if Tim Brant's ego could stand it, though. Oh, nevermind..... Hi DCRTV Dave, let me take this opportunity to wish you and everyone on the Mailbag a very Merry Christmas/joyous holiday. Burt and Tom in Denton, thank you for your kind wishes and Trish, it is great to have you as part of the extended family. Dave, I echo the feelings of thanks for all that you do. Blessings to all. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (12/25/08) I'm going to miss George Michael's Full Court Press and Redskins Report..It's really a shame since I understand that the ratings on these shows wer pretty good and I found the shows quite entertaining..Now, the announcement includes the demise of the two shows that are broadcast on Saturdays. However, will he also no longer do his interview shows with the Skins' coach?.. (12/25/08) Dave's response: Channel 4 and George Michael have parted company. However, there's a strong possibility that Michael and his sports shows will show up on MASN or CSN..... Kudos to Chad Dukes for his Christmas show. Buzz Burbank showed up in the final hour with a story about losing his 91 year old mother-in-law at the airport (it didn't help that he was wearing his Heath Ledger tribute Joker makeup), and at the end Chad dropped his girlfriend's first name, not for the first time, but he does compartmentalize Lady Dukes, I assume because of creepy internet people. Remiiiiinnnndddd you of anyone? If only Wikipedia would allow a Big O and Dukes page. Oh well, --- ThePenIsMightier (12/25/08) Would like to vent to NBC4 regarding George Michael no longer being with them (for all it's worth). I haven't gone to their website lately, but thought that they used to have a place on their to post blogs. Just went to the website, looks like it's been revamped and can't find anyplace to write comments..Am I just overlooking something?.. (12/25/08) From a previous post "What hurts TV 3 Winchester is the fact it is not available on satellite - ", I could not agree more !! Over Thanksgiving I was at a party with a group of friends and I ran into an old classmate of mine who now works for Direct TV. We were talking about TV3 Winchester and as to why that channel is not available on DirectTV ( or Dish Network for that matter ). I also brought up the many of other posts that have appeared on this and other sites in the past on this subject featuring such comments as "...WJLA would sue" or "the WHSV DTV signal comes from outside the DC DMA as a result it is illegal to put TV3 Winchester alongside the DC locals" or even "the DTV signal wouldn't make it to the uplink dish" ( I am pretty sure the Direct TV dish that captures the local DC stations is in Winchester ). He told me more/less that all of this was pure BS and that the reason why the channel isn't on dish ( at least with Direct TV anyway ) is strictly a Gray Television thing. I have also read this on another site awhile back "...why would TV3 Winchester want to be on dish..who would watch them outside Winchester?..waste of space !! ). Well if that is the case why is WHAG, WVPT, or WJAL available on dish? I highly doubt WHAG has that many viewers say in Fredericksburg or DC, much less WJAL TV 68. If those channels are available on DBS, really is there a reason why TV3 Winchester shouldn't be? Unless of course Gray doesn't want to bother. (12/25/08) MASN would be wise to hire George Michael. Having some sort of Redskins-related program on the channel (even if the team forbids use of its name in the show's title due to its contractual agreements with Comcast SportsNet) would give MASN some visibility in the D.C. area when it's not baseball season. Georgetown and George Mason basketball (and John Feinstein's BB&T event) help, but only a little. -- Vincent in Triangle (12/25/08) I've had good dealings with both Bradley Broadcast Sales and SCMS, so I hope the combination will also be good. Anyone remember David Green Broadcast Consultants Corporation? He had a checkered record for customer service. I think he was based in Leesburg. I bought from him and still have my first EV 635A. That's seen a lot of news in its time. (12/25/08) Re: TV3 Winchester - it is not a real TV station per se. There are two transmitters in Winchester (on the hill behind White House Apples off Rout 522). Channels 28 and 48 are owned by the folks who own WAZT in Woodstock, Va. TV 3 Winchester is available only on cable television or if you can pick up the digital signal off WHSV in Harrisonburg. What hurts TV 3 Winchester is the fact it is not available on satellite - which is how most folks out in the hinderlands and the hollers of Frederick/Warren/Clarke/Shenandoah counties get their TV. Second, amd most important, their product suffers from the folks in the control room. I will put their on-air talent up against anyone in the area, but the folks who push the buttons and cue the tapes are, at best, community access television quality. It hurts to watch a typical TV 3 Winchester broadcast. Another minor problem is their lack of "live" capability. Everything has to be run back to the studio so it can get on the air. They are doing their best, and I wish them well. (12/25/08) I look forward to Christmas just like the next guy but I do miss my talk shows. I don't understand why stations pass up this day, when they have a captive audience, and play brokered crap and replays of shows that I have heard. Wouldn't you think that they could find a few Jews to sit in and give us something to listen to? (12/25/08) Dear Sir: I have noticed that the past few weeks you have been coming down hard on Chris Plante. I knew him when he just a young man visiting his father on the Reagan era, and used to meet him occasionally when he worked for CNN at the Pentagon. That he has turned conservative surprises me in view of his past. However, maybe he has changed as I did after moving out West and getting away from that 'inside the Beltway' perspective. Please consider that there are others who share his views in as much that Citadel chooses to keep his services and his conservative views are needed as a local counterbalance. If he did not have a following he would be quickly replaced. As an old former resident of Washington I appreciate your services keeping us informed. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Gabe Romero, ABC, CBS, CNN, retired (12/25/08) Dave's response: I actually enjoy listening to intelligent conservatives. Poor Chris just comes off like a dumbass most of the time. He sounds like he's merely reading party-supplied "talking points" and can't even manage to muster a half-assed intellectual argument to support many of his ramblings. Sad..... Anyone who is still seeking a historical (and potentially quite valuable) commemorative gift for the holidays is urged to pick-up one of these gems. It's only $19.99 and made of heirloom quality fine porcelain, (AND they're guaranteed to be "SOLD OUT" by the 20th.) www.youtube.com (12/25/08) About WHSV-DT "TV 3 Winchester", yes they do have problems. One of the biggest and perhaps the one BIG reason why people do not see them is that way toooooo many people believe TV 3 Winchester is strictly a "Comcast" thing. In other words to them TV3 Winchester is strictly "cable only" ,Comcast runs the channel, the employees are "unpaid interns" at Shenandoah University and the ABC programming is used as strictly convience. Since so many people believe that is the case, thinking TV3 Winchester is really more no different that Comcast/WINC's channel 6, Winchester Community TV or even that Frederick County Firefighters/EMT channel ( yes there is such a channel on Winchester's system ), so why bother. To correct this "issue" TV3 Winchester really needs to go out and heavily promote the fact that their channel can be seen over the air ( even if in reality thanks to the tower being in Page County few can get the signal ). When Gray and Shenandoah first got together and planned this venture, they should have got with Art Stamler who at the time owned WAZT. Perhaps some deal could have been reach between them for Gray to take over one of those Winchester area LPTVs that WAZT uses since I believe two of them are still based in Winchester even though one is licensed for Front Royal. That way Gray could have used that LPTV channel to air TV3 Winchester. Another factor is that a lot of people still think the channel is Harrisonburg and who can blame them? Whenever TV3 Winchester is not airing THEIR news they still carry Harrisonburg's WHSV news. Thats a big mistake. At least show something, anything to block out the Harrisonburg newscasts even if its reruns of Andy Griffith or whatever. It really doesn't work by trying to pass a channel off as being in Winchester only to have viewers tune in from time to time still seeing a news anchor saying "..well today in Staunton.....". Of course the ABC feed itself does indeed come from Harrrisonburg but the Harrisonburg content needs to be blocked all the time not some of the time so viewers know who they are really trying to reach. (12/25/08) Regarding monitoring the Zeeb stations for EAS compliance: It will be a good idea to also monitor them for day - night compliance as well since there was a post on this website a few days ago claiming 980 was operating on day pattern past sunset. (12/25/08) I guess I'm not surprised that James Adams took the buyout. The writing was pretty much on the wall when NBC4 brought in Craig Melvin and pushed James Adams out to do field reporting..As for George Michael's shows being cancelled, I am quite disappointed at that move since I look forward to watching his Redskins Report and Full Court Press..I'd be curious as to what they're going to broadcast in their place..I don't see the current sportscasters being able to carry a "Redskins Report" or similar sports show..So, maybe an infomercial will be the replacement.. (12/25/08) Maybe the rules have changed today, but I believe the original FCC rule was 50 miles for local station priority on network/syndication exclusivity, nothing to do with market/DMA or Nielsen company policies. That was started in the 1980s though, and I clearly remember it forced at that time, the 3 main network stations, WRC, WJLA, WUSA off of Baltimore county cable (which at the time was a compelling reason to purchase cable TV since you could get different NFL games from the DC stations), and at the same time WMAR, WBAL, & WJZ were booted off of some of the DC area cable systems. Basically half of both markets fall within that 50 mile limit, but that caused problems for cable operators. Half of Baltimore city & Baltimore county's cable system had to block the DC stations, the other half technically didn't but the technical feasibility of zoning the channels made it virtually impossible to keep both locals in both markets. Although for about a year, half of Baltimore county got the DC stations and the east side of town got blank screens on those channels, i remember, channels 24, 27, & 29. Similarly, parts of Montgomery and PG Counties' cable systems are over 50 miles away from Baltimore, so same problem. Back then the FOX network was not programming enough hours a day to even qualify as a network under FCC guidelines and independent stations seemed to have little pull with the FCC or cable systems in enforcing this as WDCA 20 was on Baltimore city cable for many many years long after the other DC area stations were yanked and even after WDCA was yanked from Baltimore county cable. Does anyone even know what the official rules are anymore? Oh, and I find it hysterically funny that the public TV stations are apparently exempt from these arcane rules! And if today's rules are that it's market/DMA based, that's total BS and a total fixed anti-consumer scheme. But I don't think it is. Otherwise, WBOC 16 in Salisbury would have had WUSA 9 & WJZ 13 yanked from dozens of cable systems by now on Delmarva, don't ya think? (12/25/08) hey Dave, just wanted to say Merry Xmas. Thanks for the site! its the first thing I look at every day. hope you have a great holiday! (12/25/08) Dave's response: Thanks! Regarding monitoring the Zeeb stations for EAS compliance: OK, let's give 'em a listen. We missed a Required Monthly Test at 3:47AM Christmas Eve, so the next RMT will be Jan 21 at 10:47AM, originating with WTOP-FM. The relay broadcasts should take place on the Zeebs just shortly after that time. No idea as to the Weekly (RWT) tests, as those times are supposed to be randomized. If they are like the Natl Weather Service, it should happen Wednesday between 11AM and 12N. (12/25/08) /\ December 25 Messages /\ \/ December 24 Messages \/ The reason you don't see overlapping TV signals is directly attributable to a more-or-less arbitrary decision made by a 24-year-old marketing director in 1966. The very concept of DMA’s exist purely for the benefit of advertising agencies and marketing directors. Read more at: www.ephrononmedia.com (12/24/08) Dave: Given the way local sports is treated by the various news directors and general managers, you can't be surprised about the George Michael announcement. However, George was always about quality and being a pro. Unfortunately, Channel 9 and Comcast- Sportsnet don't know what that means. George was always there first covering the NHL and NBA Playoffs and even though he's the president of the Dan Snyder fan-club, he's the best!! MASN should take notice and sign George's people to a contract to do various shows. Channel 4 used to be a classy operation... full of people who like to win and good at their jobs. Now, it's all about a self-preservation and paybacks, are you listening Michael Jack? (12/24/08) Re: "Give us a hint, Deep Throat Jr: OK, thanks for the interest and support with this important matter. I'm glad to have the opportunity to make my concerned comments on this website. Here's what you should be looking for and we will start with EAS Compliance. Anyone can follow what's going on there if they have time to monitor the tests or lack of them on all of the frequencies. Even if tests are run, I'm not sure they are in compliance since no announcement is ever run with them AND HERE THIS - DENNIS GLASGOW, THE BOZO VP OF OPERATIONS instructed at least two staff members to run the tones over commercials because he doesn't want to interupt programming. Huh? Here's a guy who has probably been in the business for such a short time he never even had a Restricted Permit or a Third Class with Endorsement. Maybe the permits and licenses went away but not knowledge and compliance with the rules. Particular attention should be paid to WTEM being unmanned over night and to the other stations that are automated since to the best of my knowledge the Monthly EAS Tests are not always forwarded. GOD HELP US! If there were a nuclear disaster in the area these guys are likely to be broadcasting ESPN. Many more violations may be found... And how about people being billed for EAS tones running over their spots? The place needs a complete inspection of everything, Public Files, technical compliance issues, required record keeping and postings. There have been times no one has even been designated Chief Operator. (12/24/08) I don’t think the FCC has a mandated mileage limit within which cable systems are required to carry a market’s network affiliates and exclude those of other markets. I believe that’s determined by Nielsen DMA’s (Designated Market Areas), or in other words television markets. Every county in the U.S. is assigned to a DMA. Into which DMA (TV market) each county falls is determined primarily by which market’s TV stations have the greatest audience share in that county. Laurel is in Prince Georges County, where DC stations have the greatest share of viewing. Therefore, cable systems in PG County are required to carry the Washington network affiliates and exclude those in Baltimore. Roddy Freeman (12/24/08) Dave's response: That's what I was saying. Even though Laurel is only 20 miles from Baltimore, it's in the DC DMA and doesn't get Baltimore TVers on its cable systems..... The problem with DC/Baltimore locals on cable is that the FCC mandated mileage limit I believe cuts halfway through both DC and Baltimore, meaning only half of each market is considered LOCAL to the other. Technically, I don't think any of the stations can demand the removal of network or syndicated programming in, say Columbia or Laurel unless the rules have changed since I last read them so in those areas, it seems to me, that its clearly COMCAST's fault that you don't have both markets' locals. COMCAST often signs exclusivity deals now for money so that is most likely the culprit in these in between areas. (12/24/08) For Charles in Winchester ( and pretty much anyone else who lives in that area ), do they watch Winchester's ABC affiliate TV3 Winchester? Everytime I head to Winchester and Front Royal, I notice people there still watch the news out of DC and Baltimore, even Hagerstown and often they complain about the lack of valley news on those channels, yet bring up TV3 Winchester to them its usually (A) "...never heard of them" or (B) "...I don't consider them worth my time watching". Interesting how an area that has their own local TV news source yet people still would much rather watch DC or Baltimore, then again for years I believe that has been a problem for Hagerstown's NBC 25. Even in their hometown, no shortage of those who would rather watch DC's NBC4. Oddly the only folks I know in that region who actually admit to watching TV3 Winchester are those in West Virginia and Hagerstown who watch the channel courtesy of WHSV's DTV feed and usually it is to check out the"babes" like TV3's two weathergals Lauryn Ricketts and Cassie Behofist not so much in getting the weather. And speaking of TV3 Winchester, I noticed they never did fill former anchor Bill DuVall position, dittos with Sebastian Salazar's either. Makes me wonder if Gray is going to pull the plug on all of this sometime in the near future and perhaps give that TV channel "back to Harrisonburg"? (12/24/08) Dave's response: Cassie Behofist? Now, that's a name..... Regarding "This became such a headache for cable systems that they simply dropped most out-of-market commercial broadcast stations"........... The solution to this problem is very simple: Put the Baltimore locals way WAY up on the dial, such that you'd have to SEEK them OUT. 99.99% of people in DC then would view the DC network programming and advertisers would not be scared that people are watching the Baltimore network or syndicated programming feed. Problem solved. Of course, this makes total sense, so the FCC will NEVER allow this in a million years! HAHA! :-) (12/24/08) Dave's response: In fact, Comcast does exactly that in some of its small, rural markets. In Harrisonburg VA, the "local" Harrisonburg/Charlottesville stations are down low, in the analog VHF range, with the more-distant DC and Richmond stations up in the three-digit digital range..... As a proud resident of Winchester, where we still get Channels 11 and 13 on our cable system, I'll cast a vote for Comcast to put the Baltimore channels back on your systems closer to DC as a way to keep the Ravens on TV. I was not at home, but my neighbors were able to get that Cowboys-Ravens game thanks to WBAL. They took Fox 45 off the system before I moved to town 9 years ago (around 1998, I think), basically because of the duplication thing, but we still had Channel 2 until the poor reception finally became a problem a couple of years ago. Since we get 9 and 13, I have less interest in the whole Ravens thing, wish we could get some other games on 9. Those folks who are calling for a combined Wash-Balt. market conveniently forget that we in the valley are part of the DC, but are 100 or more miles from Baltimore and have only marginal interest in its issues. When the weather is lousy, I might take a peek at 11 or 13, and they are good to have when 4 or 9 are otherwise distracted. But as little as the DC channels offer about my community, there is even less coming out of Baltimore, so a merged market would be of little interest to me or the other 200,000 people between Winchester and Harrisonburg. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Dave, and the DCRTV community. Charles in Winchester (12/24/08) Dave's response: I think it's funny that the folks in Winchester, about 85 miles from Baltimore, can get Baltimore TVers on their cable system. Not so for the folks in Laurel, about 20 miles from Baltimore, who are technically within the DC TV market..... In what started out as a small Bah Humbug Christmas story in Frederick Maryland has blossomed into an AP story. Check out the Frederick News Post and WFMD links for the information. www.fredericknewspost.com... The WFMD Morning News Express with Bob Miller and News director Dianah Gibson featured the story this morning. Caller input was spirited in favor of the decorations. Discussion was about how un-Christmas the whole issue was. One listener stopped by the studio to present a check to cover fines incurred by the home owners so they would not have to remove their Christmas lights today on Christmas Eve. The AP has since picked up the whole story nationally. Bob Dacey (12/24/08) Don't be too shocked if George Michael ends up on MASN. He's had conversations with them in the past. (12/24/08) The only way another DC affiliate will take George Michaels is if he takes a severe -- I said SEVERE -- cut in pay. Look around at what's happening to local news. It has been made almost obsolete by 24-hour news channels, on television and on radio, and now does little more than set up network-fed clips and promote network entertainment programming. More than ever the only prerequisites to join the staff of an affiliate news broadcast is that you are (A) good looking and (B) willing to work for very low pay. Michaels is neither. (12/24/08) To follow up on your George Michael posting. Last Saturday's Redskins Report did not air at 7:00pm. A 30 minute informercial aired in its place. The Jim Zorn show did air 7:30pm. That day's wapo tv listings listed the 7:00pm slot as "tbd" (12/24/08) Regarding the NFL Network and Comcast: The only solution to the problem stated by Mitchell in Rockville is for Comcast to carry the Baltimore affiliates in the DC area. Comcast should not "give away" the NFL Network because the NFL Network charges Comcast an OBSENCE rate to carry the channel. Allowing customers who want to pay for the niche programming that is broadcast on that poorly produced channel is the best solution to that problem unless the NFL lowers the rate that they want to charge Comcast to broadcast the channel to all subscribers. The NFL is currently unwilling to do that. Comcast is not in the wrong on this one. Also, the liklihood that the NFL would open up those games for a national audience on one of the major networks is unlikely as I'm sure the broadcast rights would be very expensive and not attractive for the networks to bid on. I'm guessing the easiest thing to do would be to just carry the baltimore and dc channels on each cable system. Since the markets are so close to each other I can't see why it's not already done now. (12/24/08) Dave's response: Back pre-1993 or so, the DC area cable systems carried the Baltimore channels, and vice versa. However, the FCC's program exclusivity rules required that a TV station could force cable systems in its home market to black out duplicative network programming piped in from non-home markets. So, for example, DC's WJLA could demand that cable systems black out ABC programming on Baltimore's WMAR, as well as syndicated programming from the other market. And, if WJLA did that with WMAR's signal, then WMAR would retaliate and get JLA's network signal blacked out in the Baltimore market. This became such a headache for cable systems that they simply dropped most out-of-market commercial broadcast stations..... George Michael?!? I haven't met a person who has turned to local television for sports news in a decade. (12/24/08) Who knows all the facts involved but George Michael, even in semi-retirement, owns the broadcast media for DC sports! From what I've read and heard, he's the type of guy you'd want as a boss. Yeah, he might be tough but he's loyal all the time to his people and not a company suit. Bottom line…..one of the other locals will pick him up for exactly what he did on WRC, the only question is who? He's not threatening to anyone's job as lead sports guy, he just wants to do his thing. My first guess would be Channel 7 but I can, easily, see 5, 7 or 9 offering him a half hour to an hour (one or two shows) just like he had on WRC. As for anyone taking his place on the WRC shows, it won't work. I'm guessing all of those guys: Sonny, Riggo, Wilbon, TK, Dupre etc. all work on a seasonal contract. If they aren't free now, they will be by next season and I'd expect to see all of them on a very closely named show or shows to Channel 4. This may rank as one of the stupidest moves in DC television history. Bob from College Park (12/24/08) The Michael item raises a good question. Are "Full Court Press" and/or "Redskins Report" cancelled or will new host/s step in to take George Michael's place? Everett W. (12/24/08) Re: "Give us a hint, Deep Throat Jr, even if it's a vague one: what should we be looking for, and are the issues legitimate?" Agreed. I'm pretty sure the FCC doesn't have a "Jerky Boss Bureau". (12/24/08) Somebody has to post this www.youtube.com... Merry Kringle to all. (12/24/08) Dave, That is a shame that Channel 4 did not let George Michael finish out the Redskin season. I guess that means that Sonny will be gone too. Have the announced a replacement for George yet? I know the economy is in tough shape now but shouldn't George have the opportunity to finish out the football season? Whose next at 4? Vance, Gentzler, Reiger, Collins, Ryan? Will 4 become Channel 9 soon? Scott in Alexandria (12/24/08) (quote) Are they all written by the same poor slob? Just writing back and forth to [presumably] himself? (end) I can assure you: no they are not. This is a legitimate concern by a ragtag group of us radio veterans who still feel some passion for AM Talk done correctly, and having DONE it correctly/successfully/profitably in the past bristle at the the carelessly-executed product we hear today. As for "Deep Throat Jr.", my apologies if I came across as snide -- I wished to draw an analogy by way of the name, not to nyah-nyah you. I cannot comprehend what you went through at the Crimson Zeeb, but if there truly is anything illegal or out of compliance with their facilities, the Commission should absolutely be apprised. Bad radio is one thing, but there is no room in an already overstressed industry for suspect radio. (12/24/08) Don't know anything about George Michael being or not being anyone's favorite at channel 4, BUT Redskins Report with George, Sonny, Riggo and a rotating seat which is supposed to be Wilbon, who is rarely there, is the best Redskins show on air. Someone should pick it up if 4 doesn't want it. (12/24/08) RE: Give us a hint, Deep Throat Jr...I had to laugh and snort out loud at that. I have been reading the posts concering Gilbert, etc. and the one you reference - are they all written by the same poor slob? Just writing back and forth to (presumably) himself? Geez - get out and get some sun...MERRY CHRISTMAS to all - in the words of spongebob - "Santa's coming tonight tonight - Santa's comin tonight!" (12/24/08) Dave you might want to know that for the fourteenth consecutive year I will be spending Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day in the basement. At sunset I will go outside and hide behind the bushes and shout curses at the carolers who insist on stopping in front of my house every year. I will then descend into my basement where my two thirty packs of Milwaukees Best are already on ice and a turkey and ham are over on the workbench. I will then turn to AMC (yes the cable wire is dropped through the hole) and watch endless movies such as The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Prancer, A Christmas Carol, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and over and over and over. I will take a short break at 11:30 tonight to go out front and mock those walking to Midnight Mass. See you on the 26th. (12/24/08) Dave's response: Gee, Mike, Merry Christmas to you, too! Hope you have a job at 106.7 come January..... A letter-to-the-editor in today's Washington Post..... On Dec. 20, I was all set to watch my team, the Baltimore Ravens, play the Dallas Cowboys -- a game that had playoff implications for both teams. Yet I and many other Ravens and Cowboys fans were unable to watch, because only the NFL Network broadcast the game in the Washington area. It's ridiculous that I would have to pay the cable company additional money to watch this game. It's bad enough that because of the National Football League's antiquated broadcast rules, I do not get to see all Ravens games from my own home when, for instance, the Redskins are playing at the same time. There are several possible solutions to this problem: (1) Comcast could offer the NFL Network at no additional charge. (2) Comcast could carry the Baltimore affiliate stations in its Washington service areas. (3) The NFL could grant the broadcast networks the rights to these late-season matchups. By the way, where does one buy rabbit ears these days? MITCHELL DERMAN, Rockville (12/24/08) Brad, (or Chris), you answered your own question. Follow the money. Accounts taken directly off his former station and moved onto his current station. It may irk you, but it sure makes the bottom line look better. (12/24/08) Brad - Chris Core has a large and loyal listernership going back to his afternoons on "The Trumbull and Core Show". That loyalty translates into a greater willingness to listen to a commercial he reads. Yes, it's an older listenership, but these people are the ones who want products like Gutter Helmet. There should be more programming aimed at the Demographically Dead, since PPMs are beginning to show young males don't listen to anything. -- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (I miss Jackie Bill and Dennis Clayton!) (12/24/08) (Quote from earlier posting) ... the public will be well served if those who read this post write the FCC for an investigation...(end quote) Now that's a very thought-provoking comment. Investigation into what? Technical operations? EAS non-compliance? Not washing hands after using the bathroom? For the FCC to do an investigation, there has to be some foundation and evidence. That's what held up WDMV's license renewal a couple of years ago - the FCC was asked to look into issues regarding sunrise/sunset compliance, proper IDs, business practices and the like. Give us a hint, Deep Throat Jr, even if it's a vague one: what should we be looking for, and are the issues legitimate? (12/24/08) Maybe not the worst of 2008, but this D-bag is hellbent on preventing Big O and Dukes from having a page on Wikipedia: "Please refrain from making unconstructive edits to Wikipedia. Your edits appear to constitute vandalism and have been reverted. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox. Thank You. - NeutralHomer • Talk • December 22, 2008 @ 05:30" NeutralHomer, that's the name that name again is NeutralHomer. --- ThePenIsMightier (12/24/08) I see Chris Plante is posting in the mailbag under the alias of Brad. Welcome to the mailbag, Chris. (12/24/08) Dave, 102.1 FM / 1490 AM and www.1021thegame.com part of the Red Zebra family in Virginia Beach will broadcast two games of the Ronald Curry Christmas Classic Basketball Tournament . The first game will be this Friday morning as Norview plays Heritage with air time at 10:00 am . The second game will be the championship Monday night at 8pm . W.T. Woodson and Freedom High School from Northern Virginia are also in the tournament . 24 teams are playing in this weekends tournament taking place at Hampton University . Greg Bicouvaris who works for 102.1 FM , and Sonny Dearth will handle the announcing duties . www.1021thegame.com... www.ronaldcurrychristmasclassic.com... Hope you have a nice holiday, Sincerely ~ Greg (12/24/08) /\ December 24 Messages /\ \/ December 23 Messages \/ I don't get it; really I don't. Who benefits from Chris Core repeating his name over and over when he's doing commercials on WTOP? Does Core get the name recognition he so desperately needs and wants in order to get a real job somewhere else when his UHF television gig fails? Does Jim Farley get wood by hearing one of his competitor's, or former competitor's, former talents now on HIS air? Really. Who is served by "Hi, this is Chris Core for Gutter Helmet" or "Just tell (the cheesey jewelry store) that Chris Core sent you" or "This is Chris Core and I use (pick a day and name a product)". It's totally annoying. It used to be that only Dave Johnson seemed to have this right to promote himself as much as his product. At least Johnson was a full-time staffer who was on the air more than twice a day spewing some political bullshit. Is WTOP that desperate for ad revenue or is this about pure ego (for Core or Farley)? Remember: It's Garlique, as in Unique. Brad (12/23/08) I keep seeing postings on this website from one or two people inquiring who to send a resume to at Red Zebra to offer skills to make their stations sound professional. Believe me, as someone who has been inside that company, there is no one there that anyone who has any experience would want to work for. The CEO (Gilbert), the VP of Ops (Glassgow) and the CFO (Reynolds) are a bunch of "cockers"... What I mean is these men are so in love with themselves and so evil inside to even care about the poor product they put on the air or the welfare of the staff. Warning: Stay away, these guys are on the glide slope to disaster and the public will be well served if those who read this post write the FCC for an investigation. (12/23/08) I too find Craig Melvin quite annoying..He does appear to spit out each word. Since he wants to inject so much drama into each story he reads, maybe NBC4 could've hired him to do the sports vs. Hakem Dermish..If FOX5 can switch their weather guy into an on air anchor position, why can't NBC4 switch an on air anchor to do sports..Just a thought.. (12/23/08) Another moment for the news broadcasting Hall of Fame: as WRC 4 showed two motorists struggling to get in a helicopter basket live with the situation dangerous if not life threatening, Barbara Harrison and the checklehead she's paired with urged viewers to call in their reports and send photos. Now, I wouldn't expect Babs to provide compelling let alone coherent narration. But highlighting their inability to cover the story WHILE it's happening? Geez. (12/23/08) www.baltimoresun.com... They'll be sharing content with the Washington Post. Hey everyone, why bother with unique content any more? Stations sharing choppers, competing newspapers sharing stories... this is just ridiculous. (12/23/08) Steve Chenevey, man, when the heck are you coming back to the morning news..Tony Perkins is butchering the morning newscasts..I've seen too many times where he's doing everything he can not to laugh while giving the news..It was either this morning or yesterday where he couldn't control his laughter and actually asked Allison Seymour to finish the story.. (12/23/08) Is it just me or are others totally baffled by WRC's hiring of Craig Melvin? He is the worst anchor I have seen in DC in a long time. The man "punches" every word. He seems like he is spitting out each word or phrase. This is Washington, DC, for heavens sake! This man is small market material and desperately needs a speech coach and many years of training before he is on the air here. WRC has some strong P/T anchors (Keith Garvin is smooth and professional but without much personality). Still he is head and shoulders above the pathetic Melvin. With all the budget cutbacks, it seems ridiculous to have such a low level and annoying anchor on their air. Please WRC, dump this guy and Babs Harrison while you're at it. (12/23/08) From the WJZ-13 archives-- the classic 1979 "Hannukah incident", with the live shot at the rabbi's home being upstaged by a precocious kid. Richard Sher & the late Jerry Turner struggle to maintain composure... wjz.com... Just boost your audio to better hear the clip. Note a young Bob Turk also in studio after the commercial throw. And a shortened YouTube version, minus reactions: www.youtube.com... (12/23/08) We would all like to congratulate Sean Hannity for being awarded Media Matters 2008 "Misinformer of the Year." Read some of the statements Sean Hannity made that were considered by the nominating committee in making their decision (and read the respective corrections, as well), here mediamatters.org (12/23/08) Re: "('We need to make it illegal for people to advocate radical Islam.' Late morning talk host Chris Plante on WMAL this morning.....) He's 100% right if they are not US citizens but here for whatever reason." Thanks for that insight, Comrade Stalin. Too bad about that pesky United States Constitution and its First Amendment ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"), huh? Of course, there are places where they don't let the people speak....like Iran, Yemen, etc. Things working out pretty good there? Just curious. I'm pretty sure that laws like "It will be illegal to say radical things" are precisely what founding fathers were trying to avoid when they wrote the Constitution. And it sounds like you might want to actually read the thing: usconstitution.net. As for me, I think we've done fine with free speech for more than 230 years; I don't think there's anything so amazing about anti-American speech from some Muslims that it requires us to abandon the Bill of Rights. I would advise you to stop listening to ignorant anti-Americans like Chris Plante, though. (12/23/08) "Rush just slammed Obama for being on vacation in Hawaii and not being in Washington to stop the River Road water main break." You are such a simpleton. (12/23/08) www.sportsbusinessjournal.com NFL mulls rare shift of radio partnership... For the first time in 22 years, the NFL is considering selling its national radio rights to a company other than Westwood One. The league allowed an exclusive negotiating window with the financially troubled radio network to lapse this month and opened the process to other bidders for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. The NFL expects to make its decision at the end of January... (12/23/08) Rush just slammed Obama for being on vacation in Hawaii and not being in Washington to stop the River Road water main break. Ah, time to take a looooooong vacation, Rush. Like maybe retirement. (12/23/08) ...am just getting caught up with the Mailbag before leaving for ATL for Xmas. Keith--thanks for your nice words. And whomever wrote that we've never had a job--you're right. While it is a career--we've always loved it and even if we do other things with our lives, it will always be in our blood, so to speak. Our business is in great upheaval right now but I believe things will improve in the coming months. I won't say how, because I really don't know--but I do think the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train. At least not yet. sean hall (12/23/08) Man, I thought Ken Beatrice was morte, done in by an overdose of curly fries. But the rumors of his passing are premature as he has a wonderful entry on Wikipedia, complete with dozens of Ken-isms that do bring back memories. My favorite: "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, oh what a party we'd have!" Bye now. ACH (12/23/08) (From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) OLDIES COMBO SALES/AIR PERSONALITY - Dothan, Alabama has a new Oldies station. 'The Wheel' is now simulcast on 100.1 FM and 700 AM. We're developing a 'Full Service', community centered format with a 'Big City' sound. We're looking for one and perhaps several unique talents who can SELL as well as JOCK. Emphasis on the SELL. Initial pay is modest (Base, Liberal Commission, Expense Reimbursement), but has honest potential for a pretty nice paycheck very quickly AND it's darned hard to beat Dothan's low cost of living. Plus, the town is growing, economy is doing well and you'll love the Southern hospitality. Great selling environment. If you like warm water and the beaches, we're 75 miles north of the Gulf and 13 miles from Florida. I will pay relocation expenses for the right person or persons. If you want to do radio the way we all remember it from 'back in the day' (creating sales and promotions and handling a full time air shift playing hits of the 50's, 60's and 70's) then you'll find this opportunity to be right up your alley. Send an .mp3 and your thoughts on/background in radio sales to bobmathers@hotmail.com and I'll follow up with you right away. Or you can call me...Bob Mathers...to discuss the opportunity at 410-227-6452 (Cell) or 334-699-1001 (Station). WEEL AM-FM 'The Wheel' is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (12/23/08) Tony Perkins stated this morning, as an old lady with a yellow life vest was being pulled from her SUV on River Road onto a police dingy/boat [paraphrasing]: "It is assumed that the life vest was put on minutes ago and that it was something that the driver didn't have on her as she was driving up the road". Tony, I love ya man, but of course it's obvious that the vest was placed on her during the rescue and that she did not leave the house with it on. -Silvie- (12/23/08) ("We need to make it illegal for people to advocate radical Islam." Late morning talk host Chris Plante on WMAL this morning.....) He's 100% right if they are not US citizens but here for whatever reason. (12/23/08) Dave's response: Here we go down that "slippery slope." Anyone care to define "radical Islam"? And if we ban that particular kind of speech, should we also ban "radical Christianity," "radical Judiasm," maybe even "radical conservatism" and "radical liberalism," too? Where does it stop? Man, Chris Plante makes Michael Graham sound brilliant. And that's really something..... Hey Commander Bunny, Fear the Turtle! Happy Holidays fellow mailbaggers from Les in Adelphi. (12/23/08) I also remember Alan Prell, but forgot about him being on WAYE. And yes, when I heard Dave Durian reading the letters to Santa earlier this month, I thought of Alan, and him breaking down on the air about the sad letters to Santa. Merry Christmas to all, and to Tom in Denton and Joyce and Tom at WHFC.and thanks Dave for this great column! Burt in Denton (12/23/08) Good luck GARY REALS! Thanks for four decades of outstanding reporting in the DC market! May your last day at work be filled with a good wishes and pleasantries. (12/23/08) (Snip) Charlottesville WINA yanks Rob Schilling...(end snip). Another local voice is stilled to make room for more syndicated crap. Sad. (12/23/08) "Ken [Beatrice's] show, which aired on WMAL from about 1976 or so until 1995, was an outstanding caller based show in which Ken would discuss any sport or team the caller wished." Shortly after being let go by WMAL, Beatrice was hired by WTEM where he continued doing his evening show for another five years or so. While that open phones approach to sports talk radio appears to be a thing of the past in DC, it continues to be par for the course in places like New York, Boston and Philly. If you listen to ESPN980 for any length of time, you know that the caller segments are tightly controlled with topics picked by the hosts and almost invariably involving the Redskins at this time of year (and that was the case long before Dan Snyder bought the station). While the Skins were the most popular topic on Beatrice's show as well, he went out of his way to accomodate fans of hockey, soccer, lacrosse and a few other non-mainstream sports that today's hosts choose to either completely ignore or give very short shrift to. One can only assume they're too lazy to spend any time getting up to speed on those sports, so they simply choose not to deal with them. What's a bit mystifying is that no show on 980 saw fit to go to the phones regarding the passing of NFL legend Sammy Baugh last week - if he was really the 'greatest Redskin of all time', how could the team's own station not be interested in getting reaction from its listeners? Mike, Fairfax (12/23/08) i cant speak for what channel 9 has on the air, but I checked the website and the water main, is basically just a mention at the top of the page. no picture, barely breaking news. however, there is an Obama story and a storyt about more sex during the holidays. (12/23/08) Channels 4, 5, 7 and 9 all canceled their DTV tests scheduled for 10:28 a.m. today due to continuing news coverage of the River Road water main break. Everett W. (12/23/08) Did you see where that water main break was? River Road. You can't make this s*** up ! (12/23/08) Here's why Channel 9 news remains dead last in ratings: Every other station, locally AND CNN, Fox, MSNBC and even Headline News covered the water main break and dramatic rescue in Maryland live while 9 stayed with showing viewers how to get a Dick Tracy style watch. Smooth move, dumbasses! Paul (12/23/08) Keith, (bunny worshipper) You must have inhaled too many Hare Balls. Being an (ape human) he has totally bagged you. He’s a whacked out totally un-influential rodent using the mailbag for his own self promotion and successfully mesmerizing ape humans such as yourself. Your kind words to the Tom Gauger, Pat Murphy, Johnny Dark, Sean Hall, Ed Graham and PLB, show the distortion Captain Bunny has successfully imbedded into your brain. All of those mentioned have never had a job, they have all just done what they love and that is never work, that is PLAYTIME. Those that “hide” on the site and insult, badger, criticize and run are exactly what you described, cowards. May you have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year! PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS. The goals of life. (12/23/08) Dear Dave, I'm watching the chaos of the breaking news of the water main break in Bethesda, Maryland this morning. I was in the middle of watching the Today show interview some guy on boomers and health care, around 8:40am, when the Breaking News broke in interrupting Ann C. mid-sentence. Barb Harrison and the new guy Melvin (don't know his last name but he seems like he did sports before getting this anchor gig)were at the desk. Barb was stumbling along, Melvin was doing alright. Then, as they're going to live video from this massive water main break showing people stuck in their cars, the control room had a "moment" and interrupted with a commercial. Someone must have realized the mistake and they scrambled back to Barb and Melvin. As they start to show video of a rescue from the scene of the water main break, in breaks the Today show and journalist Matt Lauer in the Today show kitchen learning how to make potato pancakes. That lasted about a minute when the local News 4 news director gave a serious tug in this tv tug-of-war and back we went to local News 4 coverage of the water main break. I'm staying tuned just to see who wins! Keep doing what you're doing because I love your website:) Shannon (12/23/08) Was listening this morning to DC101 for once and there was no bestof but music instead - nice. Got me thinking about the PPM and since they have such a short reporting time, they could be used to see what ratings a host really gets. I know this is the holidays so the ratings are scewed, but during regular vacations if they ran music instead of EITM they could see what the difference is, and how many listeners he actually brings over generic music. Also great for fill in hosts to see what their potential is (though not really the same becuase of the lack of time to build an audience). Jason in Frederick (12/23/08) No question that the "BEST" of on DCRTV have been the fun posts by the mysterious Commander Bunny of WBNY radio. A known Pirate Radio Operator and serious candidate for President in 2008, he tweaks the monkeys (ape-humans) (that would be YOU, monkey-boy) sense of self importance and monkey slams their half wit attempts to make anonymous flame posts about him. NO QUESTION THIS HAS BEEN A BEST OF, ON DCRTV. COMMANDER BUNNY! And he's even got a website: shortwavepirarte.info... Also included in "BEST" are the infrequenct posts from DC radio LEGENDS and TV old-timers, Tom Gauger, Ed Graham, Pat Murphy, Sean Hall and Johnny Dark! Oh, yes and the frequent posts from PLB would be included in that too, but one really has to wonder if he actually has a job, as he claims he does! WORST! are the childish, juvenile and cowardly anonymous posters who always slam someone or make a cowardly attack on someone, that they don't even know! Why allow these people who can only find courage from the shadows, as they hurl anonymous insults and attacks from the safey of their anonymity? WORST! PEOPLE WHO WON'T IDENTIFY THEMSELVES! And then run for safety by claiming that "everyone on the internet does it"! So if everyone else (only in the cowardly posters feeble mind) is a coward, then its OK for the dull-witted,slack-jawed, lip-drooling poster to be a coward? Apparently so! Keith Mason - Arlington, VA (12/23/08) It's sad to ponder that the radio that we knew and loved and worked in or just listened avidly to-is all but gone. Someone I miss listening to is Alan Prell who worked long term for WBAL-AM. I recall hearing him on WAYE-AM as a youngster (He was rather young, too!). The station played underground rock and it was very cool stuff, especially for AM. In the mornings, though, Alan held court with a talk format until 12pm. He would talk about anything and it was easy to listen to him. He sounded sincere and it came across over the air. At this time of year at BAL he'd have me in tears-laughing at the antics of Allie Elf and the other kind of tears when he'd read the letters from listeners who had fallen on hard times and were seeking help. Often he would break down reading them over the air. Cheers to you, Alan, wherever you are these days. And Hi-De-Ho and Merry Christmas to Gary Helton and everybody else, too.-Tom Soul (12/23/08) Thank you Fox and the NFL. The Cowboys/Eagles game Sunday has been moved to 4:15. So it won't be on in DC. (12/23/08) /\ December 23 Messages /\ \/ December 22 Messages \/ Although it IS a shame that the worker bees at WRC-TV were left in the dark about that 5 PM managers' meeting outside of the building last Thursday, everyone should breathe a sigh of releif when they learn that GE's Jack Donaghy was in town to brief the bosses on a new piece of energy-saving technology that will be issued to all employees in the New Year. For the curious, some video of that new equipment has been leaked to the web: truveo.com (12/22/08) I read with interest that the management of WRC-TV News took themselves out to dinner… Maybe it was a last meal before their executions… or more likely some of more of the "working" folks under their charge will pay for collective ineptitude of GE, NBC, & of course themselves… in any event this yet another example of out of touch with reality many in management are today! (12/22/08) (Regarding the Post: It looks like Liz Spayd is set to be named managing editor of both the print rag and the website.....) Finally bringing the print newsroom and the online folks under the same boss? They should have done that years ago..... if this is true it will be culture shock for print Posties........ (12/22/08) When I was about seventeen I had a friend who had a pirate radio station in his basement. You could hear it on a car radio in a four block radius around the house in Kensington. People would come from Rockville, Wheaton, Silver Spring, etc, mostly by word of mouth just to circle the block to hear him curse, play records, and act foolish on the air. He later tired of his little station and went to work for WHMC but that is another story. His little pirate station was run better than this horrible "Big Talker, 1580AM". Rarely does a three minute time period go by without a period of dead air or some slipup. Today at noon, when the O'Reilly show came on the fill in host sounded like he was in the basement or he was talking through a tin can. That was followed by a period where about every third word could be heard. I turned it off and switched to another station. This is not a rare event. (12/22/08) If I had to guess on the WBAL TV11 problems, I'd probably guess they are getting close to unveilling NEWS in HD and had problems related to that, but I'm no expert. However, WBAL 11's been running the news out of the news room and the sports & weather sets out of a broom closet for over a month now, so they gotta be close to unveilling a new set anytime now. Well unless they're bringing back Bowling for Dollars, which I seriously doubt, although Ron Riley is now available, hehe. :-) (12/22/08) Fred Thompson? Pop Culture? Wow. What the f--- happened to radio? Will Fred be dissing on the latest Guns and Roses CD that just dropped or does he really prefer old G&R? What's HIS take on the whole Lindsay and Britney gossip? Would he do them? Sounds like riveting radio. By the way, Sean Hannity is a piece of shit. Paul (12/22/08) Wow. Hate talker WMAL is now 18th in 12-plus. Until Core left they were always in the top ten. Since then they've ratcheted up their Obama vendetta from the "he's a Muslim!" to the more desperate "but his birth certificate is fraudulent!" charge. In the Washington, D.C. area more than sixty percent voted for Obama in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs and more than ninety percent in D.C. One reaps what one sows. ACH (12/22/08) To Dave and everyone who flocks to this site...have a wonderful season and special Christmas blessings to you. It has been a hard year for a lot of us in Radio and T.V. - but it's going to get better in 2009. Let my optimism compensate for the lack of yours. :) To Gary Helton and Joyce Conroy, special love. And you both know why! Trish Hennessey (and thank YOU, Dave - I promise to do what I can to financially support your hard work in the coming year!) (12/22/08) Dave's response: Thanks! DCRTV's been here all these years, in a very real sense, because of your donations..... How's the format change working out for you, TGB? Maybe things will get so bad that the suits will actually put something listenable on the air out of sheer desperation...when your lame classic rock is bested by BIG's arguably lamer classic rock, time to do something. Hell, simulcasting RNR couldn't do worse, and unlike any station in DC it actually promotes DC rock venues. (12/22/08) So, as it turns out, Fred Thompson is the "official" Westwood One replacement for O'Reilly's radio show. John Gibson is in the mix only because Fox News Radio/News Talk wanted to take over the 12-3 time slot on their own, instead of sharing their talent with Westwood One. Good luck to both men. Thompson gets the "stations that don't want to make any changes/keep the satellite tuner on the same channel" lineup, Gibson gets the "stations that get hardballed/snowed by the Fox name", and the rest of the conservative talk world will be listening to Rush Limbaugh, like always. Gibson currently hosts a Fox News Talk syndicated 6-9 PM show that may have fewer listeners than DCRTV has readers. Thompson is a failed presidential candidate, a former Senator and actor. Yipes. If I'm a non-Rush affiliate station, I'm looking for option #3 in early afternoons...ANY option... (12/22/08) Hi Dave, For the fifth consecutive year, Comcast is delivering a special gift to its Digital Cable customers in Washington, D.C. region with "Troop Greetings On Demand," a service that allows the families and friends of military personnel stationed overseas to view personalized holiday greetings from their loved ones any time of the day or night and as often as they like, at no additional cost. Troop Greetings will be available through the "Get Local" category of Comcast's signature video on demand service, and offered through the end of January 2009. A dedicated Comcast production team worked tirelessly for the past several weeks editing hundreds of videotaped messages provided by the Army/Air Force Hometown News Service. Each message includes the service member's name and hometown, and some also include the serviceperson's spouse and children. Troops and civilian staff stationed worldwide, including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Japan, Korea and other remote locations, had the opportunity to send their well-wishes home for the holidays. To watch... Comcast's signature Channel 1 On Demand service allows digital cable customers to watch the personalized holiday greetings at a time most convenient for them, and as often as they want. The greetings are part of Comcast's growing On Demand lineup, which offers up to 10,000 programs a month - more than 1,000 of which are in HD - with the ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind. Comcast Digital Cable customers can tune to Channel 1 on their cable lineup or press the On Demand button on their remote control, then click on the "Get Local" section and, once there, select "Troop Greetings" and the respective state. Individual greetings are approximately five to 25 seconds in length. Starting Dec. 23, Troop Greetings will also be available for online streaming at www.comcast.com/TroopGreetings. Thanks, Alisha Martin (12/22/08) WHFC's “Golden Age of Radio" Christmas Marathon returns this year. Fans of old-time radio can enjoy 55 continuous hours of some of the best holiday shows from radio's golden past beginning Wednesday afternoon, Christmas Eve, at 1, through 9 PM Friday night. The programs span the years 1932 through 1961 and include classic episodes of Jack Benny, Suspense, Truth or Consequences, Duffy's Tavern, Red Skelton, Amos 'N Andy, and many more, with no repeats. So for everyone who's tired of "Feliz Navidad" and "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," tune in. We're on the web too at www.whfc911.org. Merry Christmas and everything else, and all the best in 2009. Gary Helton, 91.1 WHFC-FM, Bel Air (12/22/08) I want to send out a big "Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays" to Ken Beatrice, an icon of DC sports talk radio. Ken's show, which aired on WMAL from about 1976 or so until 1995, was an outstanding caller based show in which Ken would discuss any sport or team the caller wished. Not sure where Ken is now. Perhaps someone who knows can fill us in. And perhaps someone can pass along to Ken that he is still thought of fondly by many, many sports fans in this area. I wish a local station would put him on the air again, even if just a weekly one or two hour reprise of "You're next on Sportscall!" (12/22/08) To the individual who eased our worries by announcing "The new WTNT web site will be rolling out soon.", I hope Danny put some money in his webmaster's budget for a spell-checker. Or is "12 Noon - 3pm Dennis Millier" (with TWO of the letter "i") a different host than Dennis Miller? www.freedom570am.com (12/22/08) Hey Mr "Rob" Redding. How about doing a story on Cathy Hughes abandoning XM and the black channels they were supposed to produce for XM!! I am trying to fathom by what Godly guidance did you deduce that Still-President Bush managed to avoid blacks during Hurricane Katrina? Did the plane zig zag and only go over the white, hispanic and asian folks? Maybe he took a side trip and just visited them but you didn't get the memo? The W-T reporter is correct, you are an asshole. You seek to stir the pot but contribute nothing to the dialog. Get your facts straight there Mr. BLACK journalist,,,the hurricane DID NOT hit New Orleans, unlike how Ike scored a direct hit on Houston. Exactly where was Bush to land in the hours immediately after the storm surge, when waters had not yet receeded and local authorities needed assistance, the sort that would not come with trying to host a Presidential trip in the middle of that disaster. Had the Democrat governor of the state asked for it, Bush would have landed, but she refused to ask for assistance in the first place. You want to start a row based on race, take a look at how well your 'mostly black' city handled its own affairs before you start trying to blame white folks for not caring. The reasons for Bush not landing were clearly noted, but of course you are so filled with reverse racist hate-bait in the Al Sharpton mode that you failed to either read, report or understand that. Your time would be better spent and your audience better served if you focused your efforts on vetting Obama's entrenchment in Illinois politics rather than contining to beat around a Bush. If you can blame Bush without blaming the Gov of La, then I guess you can praise Obama without mentioning Blago. The W-T called you straight. (12/22/08) Any idea what is going on at WBAL TV 11? They have been off the air since I got up at 6:30am. They've been showing a very choppy version of Morning Joe from MSNBC, with an Insta Weather alert saying there are technical difficulties. Insta-weather plus looks like it is messed up. WBAL radio and WIYY seem to be on the air ok. (12/22/08) Washington Times reporter snaps over Bush civil rights story reddingnewsreview.com (12/22/08) /\ December 22 Messages /\ \/ December 21 Messages \/ Strange early Saturday morning financial talk show on 570 AM. The host sounded fine, but the guest sounded as if his mic was turned off or defective. One side of the conversation was great; the other half could not be heard. If that was a brokered show, they should not pay WTNT a dime for this weekend's broadcast. If it was a WTNT production from the start, I'm very disappointed in the lack of conscientiousness on the part of the recording tech. If the host mixed his own show, well then, he's an idiot. Let me echo the sentiment I read earlier this week: tell us who over there we should send a resume to. I can name at least five friends who can help turn 570, 980 and 1260 around to sound world-class. (12/21/08) Isn't that Beverly Fox on some spots on WTOP? If so, is that new, or has she been voicing commercials in the past in addition to her sales duties? Anyway, it's nice to hear her voice. (12/21/08) The Redskins Report was on at 7:30 Friday night for some reason. By accident, I happened to tape it, otherwise I wouldn't have known that. -- Bobbie (12/21/08) Anyone know what happened to the George Michael Redskins Report show at 7 on Channel 4 last night? I wanted to see Riggins and Wilbon going off after the Redskins lost to the Bengals but instead at 7 Channel 4 was showing an infomercial for a digital camera. (12/21/08) With any luck tomorrow night will be the last Monday Night Football broadcast for one Mr. Tony Kornheiser. Ever! What a Christmas gift that would be for football fans across America. But since the Packers are playing, we will have to endure one more night of stupid, mindless Brett Favre references. Here's hoping Jaws tees off on him again when he does it. (12/21/08) The new WTNT web site will be rolling out soon. (12/21/08) I know this may be beating the bias button raw but let's do it anyway. Why in the world would WTTG/5 run an extended piece on its Saturday 10 p.m. news with Sean Hannity "reporting" about the Blagojevich scandal? Hannity's "report" consisted of barely veiled attempts to link President-elect Obama to Blagojevich and "Chicago machine politics," all while set to ominous music. To be very clear, Sean Hannity is not a "reporter" for WTTG, Fox News or anyone else. He's a talk show host and commentator. All that is fine in its place. For WTTG to pass off any Hannity product as "reporting" though is preposterous and completely offensive to any men and women there who still believe in legitimate journalism. Everett W. (12/21/08) /\ December 21 Messages /\ \/ December 20 Messages \/ Let me see if I have this right. A woman forced a gunpoint to act in a porn movie dies in a car crash. Then a priest, a minister, and a rabbi walk into a bar and post: "LOL hehehehehe" and "As the committee sat there stone-faced, I fell on the floor while she proceeded to virtually swallow the microphone" which generate no outrage at all. In fact, someone decided to riff on the first one with a reference to "cum". Where is the outrage, good people? My arguably racist (although I didn't MEAN nothin' by it) and undeniably accurate comment about DC homerule is starting to look pretttttyyy good. It's morning in America. Let's be honest, we're all glad that whore is dead, aren't we? Aren't we? --- ThePenIsMightier, hangin' with Beaver Brown (12/20/08) D.C. Mayor robbing banks? (12/20/08) "Yeah, I remember the car accident that look Linda Lovelace's life. Both the tailpipe and the trailer hitch ball she was servicing at the time are on display here: www.museumofsex.com... At least she wasn't rear ended by a Ford Probe from Moore Hummer. Can you imagine the accident report? LOL hehehehehe" - It would have been even more fitting if the url was www.museumofsex.cum (12/20/08) Speaking of the dearly departed, am I the only one who recalls the Linda Lovelace congressional testimony about the evils of the porn industry? There she was, on CSPAN, proving that old habits die hard. As the committee sat there stone-faced, I fell on the floor while she proceeded to virtually swallow the microphone. (12/20/08) I used to work at AM-1050, when it was WQMR, the AM side of WGAY-FM beautiful music ("On the sound of music, Percy Faith played the greatest hits of Led Zeppelin..."). If you drive along the beltway near the Colesville Road exit in Silver Spring, you'll see, inside the beltway, the AM-1050 tower, on the Sligo Creek Golf Course. As chief engineer Del Keeling explained to me, the radials were (deliberately) placed under the greens. Every spring and summer, when they watered the greens, the WQMR signal went on steroids. (12/20/08) Aint it great that FOX"News" Weekends allows 16 year old girls (i.e. Dominca Davis) to read the weather reports :-) (12/20/08) Yeah, I remember the car accident that look Linda Lovelace's life. Both the tailpipe and the trailer hitch ball she was servicing at the time are on display here: www.museumofsex.com... At least she wasn't rear ended by a Ford Probe from Moore Hummer. Can you imagine the accident report? LOL hehehehehe (12/20/08) Been up to see WTNT's current web page lately? Whatta work of art... www.freedom570am.com (12/20/08) Dave's response: Ohhh, fancy! In tough economic times, hats off to WJLA/NewsChannel 8 and the Politico for having beautiful holiday party at the Wardman Marriott. On the menu: bounties of grilled veggies, savory pasta bar, carving stations with roast beef and turkey, mini chicken puffs, egg rolls, crab cakes and a delectable dessert table! Open bar only for a couple hours, but it was the thought that counts! No door prizes this year, but who cares? It was a beautiful event and those who attended were most impressed during these difficult economic times. Any updates on the Channel 4, 5 or 9 party? (12/20/08) I'm very sorry to hear about Linda Lovelace. She was a pioneer! Ray in PA (12/20/08) Dave's response: Actually, both "Deep Throats" are now dead. Linda Lovelace died in 2002 - www.imdb.com. Car accident at age 53..... /\ December 20 Messages /\ \/ December 19 Messages \/ "WTEM #21 (with 4 frequencies and format exclusivity) -- WTNT #31, it should be obvious that Bruce Gilbert needs to go! This dude is in way over his head!!" - Yeah – and Dennis Glasgow should be next… what a clown. (12/19/08) Ok Dave when is the dcrtv's New Years Eve Party. So we can all show up, and i will bring the beer. (12/19/08) (I've been married for more than 20 years. Believe me, Deep Throat died a LONG time ago.) Are you married to my ex-wifes sister. (12/19/08) As for Steve Chenevey's enthusiasm on the news last night, maybe he was happy to be away from hyper Gurvir..I'm just waiting for her to fall off her chair one morning..Maybe she needs to cut down on the caffeine. (12/19/08) Oh no, does the return of the evil John gibson put a major damper on the DCRTV world? I get feeling that a lot of the interviews done on WJFK these days are paid for or plugs for some sh8t. Not just the O'Meara show but all the other one's too. A revenue source decided upon by the cbs suits even if it dilutes the quality of the shows. Ratings may be bad but doesn't WJFK still pull in decent bucks in a bad ad market. Of course, WJZW wasn't doing bad ad revenue wise but that got killed off. (12/19/08) After reading several posts on this website it's definitely time for that (bleep) Bruce Gilbert to step down or be fired as CEO over at Red Zebra. C'mon Bruce! You've been going around with your cocky attitude long enough... Most of your management team sucks like you... I wonder what Snyder and his buddies would think about you if they knew what you say about them in public behind their backs. (12/19/08) Dave's response: Jeez. And I cut out the worst parts..... I've been married for more than 20 years. Believe me, Deep Throat died a LONG time ago. (12/19/08) WRC’s Merry F-ing Christmas: Despite the budget cuts, layoffs, and buyouts NBC/WRC management couldn't resist sneaking out in a less than discreet fashion IN THE MIDDLE of the evening newscasts yesterday (12/17) for a private Christmas party of their own. Given that it would be somewhat awkward to host a "holiday party" for the remaining employees this year, management has refused to even acknowledge the season. It can only be regarded as a further slap in the face and hit on moral to know that the bosses find something to celebrate for themselves. Said one employee who refused to be named: "...it's an insult. On top of everything else we've had to endure, watching them go off to party amongst themselves is downright arrogant." (12/19/08) About Steve Chenevey subbing for Brian Bolter: Steve was so over-enthusiastic last night that I honestly thought I was watching Harvey Levin on TMZ (I was in the middle of cooking dinner and could only hear my TV). On another topic, best wishes to Laura Ingraham, who has not yet fully recovered from the severe laringitis she had in October. Also, thank goodness for Tammy Bruce. -Silvie- (12/19/08) Tis that time of year once again. Full of warm fuzzies. As I reflect on 2008 I'm nostalgic about some of the warm, kind and friendly posts that have spattered the Mailbag. A "Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year" to Ed Graham, Johnny Holliday, EdRod, Tom Gauger, Joyce Conroy, Dave Hughes, Al Santos, Linda Kelly, Johnny Dark, Sean Casey, Gary StOurs, and Jim Bohannon. To all of the nameless detractors I wish you shoes full of steel wool wear them with the ultimate enjoyment.PLB:0) (12/19/08) Bow your heads and weep, you basement-dwelling Trekkies: radaronline.com (12/19/08) The FCC's Cavalcade of Comedy Call Letters continues: www.fccinfo.com... Further proof that no one in The Portals is paying any attention anymore to license applications. (12/19/08) Dave: In response to the recent radio ratings..I wish Dan Snyder would read the "mailbag" more often realize it's not working over at ESPN980. What's not working? his overpaid radio executive who think they know-it-all. Just because you {Bruce Gilbert} were upper-management at ESPN Radio in Bristol, doesn't mean you're going to be able to bring 980 back from the basement to a top-10 station in the Washington, DC market. There are plenty of under utilized people in the industry who can bring 980 back to life..problem is, Snyder doesn't kow where to find people with NO EGO's. (12/19/08) Shout out for the Junks interview with Jason Taylor. Straight forward, honest questioning to an NFL player is neglected in this area. More of this honesty needs to occur through out sports in this area. - Kimmell (12/19/08) I guess Marty is emulating what the small 3 automakers are currently doing….going on hiatus and looking for new and additional sources of revenue so that she/they can return better than ever. chickaboomer.blogspot.com (12/19/08) Dave's response: Yeah, Marty has mentioned to me that she's kinda "burned out" with the site and may be exploring new avenues in 2009. I wish her all the best. She's a great chick..... Like any other job, anchors routinely take vacation. And with Brian Bolter out, Steve Chenevey is filling in for him..However, in Steve's place is Tony Perkins..And although I do like Tony Perkins, it is almost unbearable to watch him anchor on the morning news..I guess it's convenient (or as has been said before, he's being groomed for an anchor spot), but he just seems so out of his element. I'm just waiting for him at any moment during a serious story to break out in laughter..And if he says one more time that a story is "fascinating", I'm going to scream!!.. (12/19/08) Even if Disney moves the ESPN Radio programming to a New York FM, it won't change the protections to which the 1050 signal in New York is entitled. The current 1050 site in New Jersey is being wiped out by the construction of a nearby shopping/entertainment center, and the developers are mitigating the situation by building 1050 a new three-tower, 50 kW transmitter site just across the river in Secaucus. Construction on that new site just got started, from what I hear...and rumor is that the 1050 signal would go ESPN Deportes if ESPN in English moves to FM. In any case, the New York station is just one of several that Silver Spring has to protect. The main protections at night are to Mexico and Canada, and getting around that means multiple towers west of DC aiming east - which gets back into that problem with NIMBYs and high land values that bedevils anyone trying to build out there. By the time you get done spending, you'd be better off making Citadel an offer for 630. (Or buying a big stack of Tower Site Calendars...) - Fybush (12/19/08) Hey Dave, Here's wishing you and everyone on the Mailbag a joyous holiday. Been doing lots of catch up on reading many of the posts and Ed Graham's recent comments about the fate of the radio personality truly hit home. What inspired me to enter the business was the opportunity to be a friend via the airwaves and to share from the heart about the artists. I will never forget the afternoon having to drive home from work in icy weather and listening to Joe Knight on WCBM. Joe's fun and easy-going style were a much needed comfort and I felt like a good friend was in the car beside me. It was one of the experiences that made me appreciate the true art of broadcasting and how a radio personality can impact a listener. Sadly, the day I was handed a script that read like an Algebra test was enough motivation for me to re-think my path. I agree with Ed that the business has become impersonal and a change is needed to bring radio back to life and involved with the community. I can hear Sam Cooke singing now. Hey, we did it with the Presidental election. We can do it with the airwaves. My friends, just an opinion on my part. Love and blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) P.S. I was thrilled to finally meet Joe Knight on a boat trip during my tenure at WAMD. It was even more thrilling thanking him for that day and many more fun days listening. (12/19/08) WTMD-FM 89.7/Towson-Baltimore has developed and deployed a free application for iPhones that streams the station’s signal direct to the listeners handset. The free app is available in the iTunes store by searching WTMD. The WTMD app features song title and artist information, a direct link to the station’s website and on-screen volume control. (12/19/08) /\ December 19 Messages /\ \/ December 18 Messages \/ Does anyone have access to old "Leonard's Loser's" programs. I've GOOGLED for audio but can't seem to find any on line or at youtube. I'm hoping there's a collector somewhere. (12/18/08) Re: Mike Bell.......I had the pleasure of working with Mike @ WRVQ in Richmond back in the late 70's and then hired him to do mornings for me @ the old 96-X / WMJX in Miami in 1980. A great guy and talent. One of the 'ol school dudes who could have "live" conversations with his characters waaaay before Hendrie & Matthews. Happy Holidays to all in hometown D.C............Bruce Kelly (12/18/08) Dave, maybe WMAL was being nice & just lending Joe & Mika their studios for the live show today, dontcha think? I'm thinking that things like that will happen quite often, leading up to the Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20. Maybe Curtis Sliwa, Sean Hannity and others will broadcast live that week straight from WMAL studios, who knows? If Sliwa shows up anywhere near the studios, I'm getting in my car and driving from Waldorf into DC just to meet him.... -Silvie- (12/18/08) Dave's response: Hell, anything, even Fred Grandy singing showtunes, would be better than Chris Plante..... Re: The late Mike Bell & Winchester's WHPL-AM...over the years there actually has been a debate as to whether or not WHPL was top 40 during the time when Mike Bell was the morning guy there. I am pretty sure WHPL went from country to rock around 1974. However for some reason I remember hearing someplace where Pam Bell herself claimed that WHPL was NEVER top 40 but rather Hot AC. Did Hot AC even exist back in the mid to late 70's? I am about 99% sure I can remember Mike cranking out music from from Aerosmith, The Sweet and KISS on WHPL back then not to mention disco and Dolly Parton ( hey top 40 back in 1977 was a mix bag of things ). If WHPL indeed wasn't top 40 was there something that WHPL refused to play back then which would have put them into the same league as the other regional top 40 outlets at the time like Martinsburg's WRNR-AM, Hagerstown's WEEO or even Harrisonburg's WHBG-AM.? Also are there any airchecks out that that exist of WHPL? Over the years I have many of airchecks from the 70's from a bunch of stations in that region ( WINC-AM, WFTR, WSIG, WEPM, WEEO,WARK, WRNR, etc..) but oddly I have yet to anything, not even a jingle from WHPL. TI am sure there is an old WHPL aircheck out there someplace but so far the only aircheck I have ever heard from Winchester's now-defunct AM 610 was oddly from WVAI ( from 1984 ) but that wasn't WHPL. It would be very interesting to hear an aircheck of Mike Bell from his WHPL days ( or really from anyone else at WHPL for that matter ). Hope one exist. (12/18/08) Is there any way to know ahead of time whether WBAL-TV in Baltimore will be simulcasting the Rwvens/Cowboys game Saturday night in HD? I liveout in Frederick, and get Channel 11 on Comcast cable. Just wondering if HD is a possibility. Thanks-Chris (12/18/08) RE PPM's -- WTEM #21 (with 4 frequencies and format exclusivity) -- WTNT #31, it should be obvious that Bruce Gilbert needs to go! This dude is in way over his head!! (12/18/08) While going over the latest Baltimore trend, it occured to me that this time next year, the trends will be long gone replaced by the PPMs. 92Q will be lucky to make it into the top 5. WWIN-FM should throw a par-ta if they break the top 10 (Look @ WMMJ). As bad as things are now for Radio One, it's only going to get worse. Speaking of worse, it looks like those Bob & Tom chickens are coming home to roost for WZBA. Nothing like replacing local programing with an unfunny syndicated show from the entertainment capital of the world...glamorous Indianapolis. Super genius. Hamboy. (12/18/08) Bonneville paid $1.5 million for 1050, IIRC. Quite a bit of field work has gone into the 3.5 and 10 kW upgrades, but their investment must still be less that $2 million. What day and night powers would it take to double / triple / or more the value of the facility? Remember that 1050's lower dial position gives greater coverage per watt than 1580's. (12/18/08) I don't care about PPM ratings but I do know if WJFK switches formats I am offically done listening to terrestrial radio. As it is now, I can only listen on the internet and I only listen to Mike O'Meara and after his redicolous 3-week vacation I might forget to tune back in. (12/18/08) Dave's response: If it's an official holiday, like the 4th Of July, Christmas, or News Years Day, it's OK for JFK to run "best ofs" on their morning and afternoon shows. But, if there's a work-a-day rush hour, JFK should run live drive-time shows, even if its "top" talent (the Junks or O'Meara) is on vacation. The audience does not want to listen to repeats on workdays. That's so sucko! Put Oscar Santana and Robb Spewak in mornings, and Buzz Burbank and Chad Dukes in afternoons, if you have to. Maybe hire Ron and Fez as evening hosts and permanent "fill-iners." But being live and topical is important, especially now in this PPM age..... I have **absolutely** no insider info, but I remain convinced that we will eventually see an application for even higher daytime power and real night power for 1050 with a directional antenna for both. This may involve taking dark another station somewhere. Bonneville has deeper pockets than most of today's broadcasters. They can afford to be patient and only spend money when they think there will a good return. (12/18/08) Dave's response: There are rumblings that ESPN might move its NYC sports talker from the highly directional WEPN 1050 to Emmis's 101.9, replacing alt-ish rocker WRXP. That might "free-up" the 1050 frequency for some sort of improvement down here DC-way. Also, isn't there a 1050 in Norfolk? And Toronto, of course. Remember the old "1050 CHUM" back in the "top 40" days? Still, I can't see Bonneville spending too much time upgrading an AMer in a heavily FM market like DC..... "Still, if they’re just going to repeat an already blistering FM signal, what’s the point?" Maybe they're not going to repeat the signal forever. (12/18/08) Just a thought for WJFK. Switch the timeslots of the Junkies and Mike O'Meara. The morning slot is too early for the Junkies and it shows with their preperation. I would imagine a majority of their desired demo isn't even out of bed until 7:30 or 8. The Mike O'Meara show is a little friendlier to the listener and would do well with the older listeners who are traveling to work. I would bet he would steal some listeners from both Elliott and Jack. (12/18/08) Dave's response: That might not be a bad idea..... RE "Gawd-damn-it! I need to know what 'hotel' that annoying-loud mouth-liberal bytch was staying at in Washington! -i have associates who want to come to Washington to see "obama/da messiah" for the Inauguration so I needs the people in DCRTV Land give me a heads up about the hotel/neighborhood that twat Mika was staying at. Thanks" What is your problem, jackass? You cannot be a man. As a real man, I would never make light of a woman being mugged/assaulted/etc. I might not agree with her politics, but as a husband, father, US Army soldier, and a human being, I wish her no physical harm. Your misogynism and use of vernacular are proof that your knuckles are bloody from dragging them on the ground. And, you are probably one of those neanderthals that claim that men like myself, who wear the uniform and protect your rights give you your freedom of speech. I may protect your right to free speech, but your right to being an ass clown is all on you. - Big Sarge (12/18/08) "Help me understand Bonneville’s rationale in dumping a couple hundred grand to upgrade 1050/WTOP (the current resting place for the hallowed AM calls) to 10,000 watts during the day." I would say A) it costs tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands and B) it raises the value of the stick. It could be trade or sale bait in the future. With those three FM sticks, they don't need 1050. (12/18/08) Gawd-damn-it! I need to know what 'hotel' that annoying-loud mouth-liberal bytch was staying at in Washington! -i have associates who want to come to Washington to see "obama/da messiah" for the Inauguration so I needs the people in DCRTV Land give me a heads up about the hotel/neighborhood that twat Mika was staying at. Thanks.... (12/18/08) Congrats, Unkie Gordon. Always knew you had it in you! -Al Peterson, Radio America Network (12/18/08) "It's the demo - older folks, and by that I mean people over 40 or so. That's not who many advertisers want to reach." Actually advertisers would love to reach those people. The problem is that study after study has shown that people in that age group are much less likely to be persuaded by advertising. Hence it's not cost effective to buy radio time to reach that demographic. Younger people are more influenced by advertising, so advertisers prefer to direct their efforts toward them instead. (12/18/08) Help me understand Bonneville’s rationale in dumping a couple hundred grand to upgrade 1050/WTOP (the current resting place for the hallowed AM calls) to 10,000 watts during the day. It’s just a repeater of the FM franchise stick now, ain’t it? So it will put a whale of a signal over the same patch of land where 103.5 already has a whale of a signal? Is all of this for the three octogenarians driving around in their 1949 Hudsons with AM-only radios? And if those old-timers are trying to listen past 5 PM this month, they’d better be driving in the four-block chunk of Silver Spring where they can pick up the 44-watt night signal, right? If they were serious about doing a real upgrade to 1050 they’d be jumping through the hoops needed to boost the night-time power—or figuring out a move-in from the outlands to accomplish the same thing. Say, a big check to Somar and a U-Haul for Lexington Park’s 1690? Stick that one in Silver Spring and at least you’d be able to hear the damn thing in Wheaton. Still, if they’re just going to repeat an already blistering FM signal, what’s the point? (12/18/08) "CC is and always has been a bunch of cheap corporate idiots" Based upon grammar and spelling, can I conclude that English is not your first language or are you just not that bright? (12/18/08) What's the frequency, Mika? Signed, Dan Rather (12/18/08) I sit back like many and look at what has happened to radio in many markets. Certainly I am not a veteran like Johnny Dark (whom I listened to as a kid and had the honor to work with in the 80's), but even back in the 70's and 80's we were allowed to be personalities. I was asked to develop Country Gospel Time for WPOC, it was highly successful, with top ratings well beyond the usual 25-54. Jeff Michaels was consistently number one on Saturdays, and again, not just target demos, and we were just part timers having fun! I later took the show to WCAO and syndicated (in real time) in both Philadelphia and Chicago. What I am trying to point out is that even in the past, stations were very successful, they did it with creative staff, and program directors who REALLY WERE program directors. There was an intimacy between the personalities and the audience. Radio needs to get back to that concept. Certainly that is the case with drive times. If listeners want to hear 20 in a row, they have IPods, back then they had cassettes. As a part timer, with NO formal broadcast training, I was allowed to involve listeners on air, they became as much a part of the product as the music. One last thing, let's hope that the media backs off on the negative "hype" of our economy and simply report the news. Are there problems, you bet! It's kind of like a coach telling the team they will always be losers, often it's self fulfilling as we are seeing today. As we approach 2009 challenges will be many, radio can survive if they look at what worked a few years back. Respectfully, Tom Conroy (12/18/08) On ESPN980's Sports Reporters the other day, Pollin and Czaban were asking callers "what sports figures would you like to throw a shoe at?". The answer to that question is simple - Andy and Steve for coming up with such a mean spirited, lowest common denominator topic during holiday season. But I guess it's a good illustration of the sorry state of sports talk radio in this town - far be it from anyone at that station to open the phones on the Nationals' efforts to sign premier free agent Mark Teixeira, for example. Never mind that they and the Orioles are among several teams bidding for his services and it's been a big topic in Baltimore lately - we all know that Washington's lightyears away from being a legitimate baseball town and any attempt to open the phones on a Nats topic is clearly doomed to failure. I noticed that Phil Wood's been providing interviews with Nationals players on the Baltimore based radio show he co-hosts with Tom Davis and ex-O's pitcher Dave Johnson (simulcast on MASN Saturdays starting at 11 AM). So a station in Charm City is doing more offseason Nats coverage than DC's lone sports talker - a situation that only begins to seem plausible when you recall who owns that particular sports talker. Mike, Fairfax (12/18/08) Dear MOM, Maybe you are receiving such grievance with your interview not so much out of spite with Ms. McBride, but your utter inability to conduct an interview. Please remember the one rule of interviewing. Allow the other person to respond to your question in kind. ( this will require muzzling Rob at times) By repeating your question in an repetitive manner three to four times, three to four times, three to four times…three…to…four…times…for the interviewee is amazing annoying…annnnnoyyyinnnnggg. Are we suffering from cirrhosis of the brain? Reduce the amount of repetition. Your first question is right on the mark. Let it go queenie! - love, Larry King (12/18/08) TRE: "the only station locally programmed by CC in Baltimore is WCAO" Get your facts straight. 98 Rock is locally programmed also. Not well, but it is. So is WZBA. As for WPOC, they only have 1 live day part--AM drive. After Lori leaves, its on auto pilot. WCHH is not live AT ALL. When they do contesting, they have someone sit in the studio, take the call--then sometimes they will call the VT talent to have them ISDN down a stab or liner with the winner's name. But, the rest of your post makes perfect sense. Those of us who walk the halls every day, with a constant worry about our jobs, our future, all know what we are up against. Radio is not what it used to be! (12/18/08) LMAO, that whinny/stuck-up/out-of-touch/elite/liberal BITCH had to "deal with common people, i.e 'mugging' " outside of her hotel -LMAO! I cant stand her on 'morning joe' (I miss Imus :-( So Im VERY HAPPY to see her deal with real life in DC. Mika = what a bitch... ROCK ON! -triad_spook :-) (12/18/08) Alternative Headline for Mika being mugged in DC.... MSNBC Exclusive: Obama's Redistribution of Wealth Plan Begins Prior to Inauguration (12/18/08) I worked with Mike Bell at WQAM and WKIS in Miami. I did not know him very well as he kept to himself most of the time. I never knew that he was from the DC area. He always seemed like a good guy and was very entertaining on the air. (12/18/08) I wasn't there but this incident with Mika Brzezinski sounds more like an encounter with a panhandler than a "mugging". (12/18/08) Dave's response: Hell, it gets a link on dimwitted Drudge and generates much-needed publicity for the little-watched show..... CC is and always has been a bunch of cheap corporate idiots. As for "if they had the money or saw reason to hire live, local PD's & staff they would". That's BS, lord knows Seacrest gets paid millions upon millions. On the CBS side there's the millions and millions they hand to Don & Mike, the triple digits to each of the Flunkies, I'm sure CC's execs. get paid like oil companies execs. While some of us have never touched the mic, we still know good radio form shit, and without doubt knowing that CC owns most of SCPA's stations they've always run them like crap dating back to the days in the 90's of Harrisburg's Kool 99.3 in which it took the much better sounding non-corporate owned WSOX to run them over. WBIG is laughable in it's current form They should have gave it the new calls of WCCR where we only play CCR & John Fogerty. WBIG was much better as an Oldies station. Their CHR's repeat the same 10 songs over and over and over (if you're hearing right now you'll hear it exactly an hour from now over again), and each CHR station carries the same exact playlist. WCHH could have scored big and sounded much better without the VT'ed idiot DJ's & constant commercial breaks. It's really not hard at all to tell they're not at the actual station. All CC stations have Studios with some companies name slapped on them, after every song there is a quick commercial. Radio has become a corporate business to the point where XM/Serius & IPod's, and internet radio are 10 times better. Yet all CC & CBS do is whine about how IPod's & Satellite radio is taking their listeners. I feel no symathy for these idiots because while a station like Oldies WQSR was still profitable, hell in current CBS-FM form it'd proabably be a top 5 station now exspecially when PPM's hit. Everyone in Baltimore knew Rouse & Company and young or old everyone at one time or another listened to it. CBS drove WQSR into the ground with stupid management. There are reasons why SCPA's WSOX kept going strong when oldies stations everywhere were dying off. Why because they left the descions local. When any station goes coropate to CC, CBS, or Cumulus, etc. Does anyone remember when the head of CC tried to run the Minnesota Vikings? Basically the team was as healthy as a the CC radio stations.... a constant door mat producing nothing but crap. (12/18/08) I'm shocked that NBC12 in Richmond laid off Gene Lepley, however I would be more shocked if they laid off Gene Cox, along with co-anchor Sabrina Squire and weatherman Jim Duncan who have all been there 20+ years -- very unusual in this day in age. WWBT was just bought by Raycom, which formerly owned CBS6 WTVR -- many of them probably knew this would be coming. Sad to see Lepley and Hamlin leave, but I'm sure CBS6 or WRIC-8 will pick them up. (12/18/08) Note to ''Morning Joe'', I'm sorry Mika was attacked but muggings happen in EVERY city. Paul (12/18/08) The only station locally programmed by CC in Baltimore is WCAO. WPOC & WCHH probably get a visit from the PD once a week or so. WPOC has only 2 live/local dayparts and WCHH has maybe one, if not completely VT'd/syndicated. The music for both is cookie cutter and uninspired. No surprises, no 'oh wow' moments. Jack will probably be programmed by WBIG or WASH's PD and no one will be hired except a few salespeople. Hell, even traffic on WCHH comes from DC. While this is a horrible way to run a cluster of stations, it's business as usual in radio and has been for a long time. I often wonder if the people who post on DCRTV either haven't cracked a mic in years, or at all. Stations VT, they make what seem like stupid choices by hiring out of market talent while qualified locals sit on the sidelines. They have PD's program multiple stations in nearby markets. They understaff to the point where the automation systems constantly misfire content. These are cost saving measures. I'm sure if money were no object, CC would hire Rouse & Co, Merson, Worthington and every other WQSR mainstay from back in the day and flip 102.7 back to oldies the day they take control. Staffing the programming department with jocks, a PD, and support staff would cost well over a mllion a year, for what? A marginal gain in ratings and not much of a bump in revenue. A CHR would be a similar investment in staff and promotions. This is radio circa 2009, not 1979 when jocks pulled 4 hour shifts and were spinning LP's and 45's. Those who walk the halls everyday know what they're up against and the state of the industry. Those who don't post on DCRTV. (12/18/08) Re: "The "problem" with the smooth jazz format is the demo - older folks, and by that I mean people over 40 or so." C'mon-- people over 40 have more discretionary income than those under 40. "Over 40" doesn't mean you can only sell funeral home spots. And the numbers for WSMJ were undeniably better than this "me too" format they have now. The programmers at CC can't seem to see beyond their own asses (where their heads reside). I see one problem as being that "smooth jazz" was entirely the wrong name for the old format on WSMJ. It was an eclectic mix of softer, generally upbeat cuts, not the syrupy, sappy, makes you wanna rip your ears off schmutz that is actual smooth jazz. And at least WSMJ was different from what anyone else was doing in Baltimore. WCHH is.. just... zzzzzz... ~~CA in BC (different--what a concept!) (12/18/08) Re: "I don’t know how valid the John Gibson story is, but the New York Post is reporting that Rudy Giuliani is Westwood One’s leading candidate to replace O’Reilly." Looks like both stories could be right. O'Reilly's radio show has been a joint venture of Fox News Radio and Westwood One. Westwood One started and syndicated the show, and O'Reilly's primary employer Fox got involved in the radio show somehow between now and then. Gibson will indeed be offered - directly by Fox News Radio - in the noon-3 slot. In addition to Gibson's existing 6-9 PM ET show, Fox News Radio syndicates "Brian and the Judge" (replacement for the late Tony Snow) and Tom Sullivan, along with producing the satellite radio-only "Fox Across America" show with Spencer Hughes. If the NY Post report is true, Westwood One may offer Rudy or whoever in that same time slot, not connected to Fox. The world's apparently crying out for not one, but two, syndicated radio replacements for ol' Bill-o...right up against all three hours of Rush. (12/18/08) /\ December 18 Messages /\ Jump to the Mailbag Archive Index.....